A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harbour family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4261 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux I. et IV. de Harbord, qui est c.-éc. d'azur et de gu., à quatre lions d'or; et une couronne royale d'or, br. en coeur sur les écartelures; aux II. et III. de Morden, qui est d'arg. à une fleur-de-lis de gu. C.: un lion d'arg., couché sur un chapeau de tournoi de gu., retr. d'herm. S.: à dextre un lion d'or, coll. d'une couronne d'azur et enchainé du même; à sen. un léopard au nat., la tête posée de front, coll. d'une couronne d'or et enchainé du même. D.: EQUANIMITER.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Harbour arms are recorded
The Harbour arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Harbour arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Harbour Family in France
The family name Harbour finds its roots in the coastal regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Bretagne. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this rugged northwestern territory. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for people who lived near a harbor or a sheltered port, reflecting the maritime lifestyle common to the Breton people. During the early eighteenth century, families in this region were deeply connected to the sea, often working as sailors, shipbuilders, or merchants who traded across the Atlantic. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Bretagne, contributing to the unique cultural and linguistic traditions that define this part of France. Their presence in the region during this time highlights a long history of resilience and adaptation to the coastal environment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Harberc
Old Germanic term referring to a shelter or army lodging.
This name
HarbourA topographic name for someone who lived near a harbor or a shelter.
also spelled
Harbort
Harberd
Harbert
Harbard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
