Map of France showing where the Kerrigan arms are recorded
The Kerrigan arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Kerrigan 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Kerrigan Family in France
The family name Kerrigan is primarily associated with Irish roots, but historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1663. This presence suggests that early ancestors were likely part of the wave of Irish migrants who moved to the continent during the seventeenth century. Many of these individuals were soldiers, scholars, or merchants who sought new opportunities or refuge during a time of significant political upheaval in Ireland. By settling in coastal areas like Bretagne, the Kerrigan family integrated into local society while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Over time, the name adapted to the linguistic patterns of the region, reflecting a history of migration and adaptation across the Atlantic coast of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ciar
An ancient Gaelic term referring to a dark or black color.
This name
KerriganA descendant of the dark or swarthy one, often associated with noble lineage.
also spelled
Kerroignan
Keroinyan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
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gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
