A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Helman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7199 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“un lion iss. d'or, cour. du même, arm. et lamp. de gu. S.: deux léopards lionnés d'or, cour. du même, arm. et lamp. de gu., tenant chacun une bannière, celle à dextre aux armes de l'écu, celle à sen. d'arg. au saut. de gu. et à la fasce d'azur, br. sur le saut.”
Francec. 1660
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Map of France showing where the Helman arms are recorded
The Helman arms were recorded in France, c. 1660.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Helman 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 Helman Family in France
The surname Helman traces its roots in France to the rugged and culturally distinct region of Bretagne. By the year 1660, records confirm that families bearing this name were already established within the local communities of this northwestern province. During this period, Bretagne functioned as a semi-autonomous duchy with its own unique traditions and social structures, which likely influenced the lives of early Helman ancestors. Families in this region often lived in close-knit rural parishes where they worked as farmers, artisans, or maritime traders along the rocky coastline. Because the name appears in regional documentation during the mid-seventeenth century, it suggests that the Helmans were part of the stable, tax-paying population that helped maintain the local economy. Over time, these early settlers contributed to the distinct linguistic and social fabric of the Breton people, grounding the family name in the history of a region known for its strong sense of identity and independence.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three bendlets az. a bordure gu”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Helman arms are recorded
The Helman arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Helman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Helman Family in England
The surname Helman traces its roots in England to the medieval period, emerging as a name often linked to people who worked as servants or attendants. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Helman family were living and working within this northern hub during a time of significant social and religious change. As residents of York, they likely participated in the local trade guilds or agricultural life that defined the region. The family name persisted in these northern counties for generations, reflecting the steady movement and settlement patterns of common families in post-medieval England. Through their presence in such a prominent city, the Helmans contributed to the local community fabric long before the era of modern record-keeping.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heilmann
Derived from the Germanic elements for health or luck and man.
This name
HelmanA surname denoting a healthy or fortunate person, often used as a nickname.
also spelled
Hellman
Helmon
Related arms
Hellmannvariant spelling
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
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de l'état civil ancien
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms 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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
