A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harf family of France.
Reg. 5413 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg., au chef de gu., ch. d'un lambel d'azur. C.: un bonnet de gu., retr. d'herm., sommé d'une boule de gu. ou d'or; entre un vol d'arg. ou d'azur et d'arg. (ou, Arm. v. G.: un écusson des armes, entre un vol de gu. et d'arg.) L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Harf Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Harf arms are recorded
The Harf 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 Harf 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 Harf Family in France
The surname Harf carries a rich history that traces back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in this area, which was known for its distinct cultural traditions and strong maritime connections. The name itself is thought to be linked to regional linguistic roots, potentially reflecting the geographic features or the specific occupations of those who first carried it. During the early eighteenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where they relied on agriculture and fishing to sustain their livelihoods. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, contributing to the unique heritage that defines this historic corner of France. The presence of the Harf name in these early parish registers serves as a vital link to a time when families were deeply rooted in the local landscape and traditions of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Harpe
A stringed musical instrument or a hook-shaped tool.
This name
HarfAn occupational name for a harpist or a topographic name for someone living near a hook-shaped piece of land.
also spelled
Harf
Harffe
Harffs
Harf de Dretborn
Harff Dretborn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de la série B: Cours et juridictions, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
