Map of France showing where the Hervieux arms are recorded
The Hervieux arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Hervieux 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Hervieux Family in France
The surname Hervieux originates from the ancient Germanic name Herveus, which combines the elements for army and battle. By the 17th century, the name was well-established in the Normandy region of France. In 1663, records confirm that members of the Hervieux family were living in this coastal province before many of them began their journey to settle in New France. These early ancestors were often farmers or skilled tradespeople who carried their traditions and language across the Atlantic. The name evolved over time as it spread through different parishes, but it remained a strong identifier for families rooted in the history of northern France. By maintaining their identity through generations, the early Hervieux family helped shape the cultural landscape of both their original home in Normandy and their new life in North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Herve
Derived from the Breton name Haerviu meaning battle worthy.
This name
HervieuxA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Herve.
also spelled
Hervieu
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec by René Jetté (1983)
Les noms de famille de France by Marie-Thérèse Morlet (1991)
Library and Archives Canada, "Recensement du Canada de 1666" (1666)
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
