A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Honoré family of France.
Reg. 2769 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Losangé d'arg. et de sa. (Leslem); à la cotice de gu., br. sur le tout; au fr.-q. de pourpre, ch. d'un dextrochère d'arg., supp. un épervier du même.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Honoré arms are recorded
The Honoré arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 Honoré 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 Honoré Family in France
The surname Honoré traces its roots back to the Latin word honoratus, which translates to honored or esteemed. In the context of early French history, this name was often given to individuals as a sign of respect or to honor a specific saint. By the year 1663, records confirm that the family was well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, families in Bretagne were often deeply connected to the local agricultural and maritime communities. The Honoré family likely lived as part of the rural society that defined the province, contributing to the local economy through farming or trade. As the name spread through the region, it became a stable identifier for families who were recognized for their standing within their local parishes. Over time, the name evolved from a descriptive title into a hereditary surname passed down through generations of families living in the coastal and inland areas of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Honoratus
Latin term meaning honored, esteemed, or respected.
This name
HonoréDerived from the Latin word for honor, signifying a person who is held in high regard.
also spelled
Onoray
Honoray
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morvan, Françoise. Bretagne est une fête. 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
