A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Knapp family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5117 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un garçon iss., posé de profil, cour. d'or, vêtu d'un habit brunâtre, retr. d'arg., au rabat et au tablier du même, tenant de sa main dextre un bâton au nat.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une couronne d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le garçon iss. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Francec. 1777
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Map of France showing where the Knapp arms are recorded
The Knapp arms were recorded in France, c. 1777.
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 XVI of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XVI of France
1774–1791
Reigning in France when the Knapp 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 Knapp Family in France
The history of the Knapp name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape of the Brittany region. While the name is often associated with Germanic roots, its presence in French records by 1777 suggests that family members had integrated into the local culture long before the French Revolution. During this period, Brittany was a province with a distinct identity and a strong maritime tradition. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit coastal communities where they worked in agriculture or trade. The appearance of the Knapp name in these official documents indicates that the family was well-established enough to be recorded in parish registers and tax rolls. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and political shifts of the late eighteenth century while maintaining their presence in the western reaches of France. By settling in Brittany, the family became part of a unique regional history that blended local customs with the broader changes occurring across the French nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
helmetWisdom and security in defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, in chief three close helmets sa. in base a lion pass. of the last”
NorfolkTuddenham · Norfolk, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Knapp arms are recorded
The Knapp arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Knapp 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Knapp Family in England
The surname Knapp is an ancient topographical name that originated in England long before the seventeenth century. It is derived from the Old English word "cnæpp," which refers to a hilltop, a small summit, or a rising piece of ground. Families who took this name likely lived near such a landmark, identifying themselves by their specific place of residence within their local community. By the time the family was firmly established in Norfolk by 1620, the name had already been in use for several generations across various English counties. During this era, members of the Knapp family were often involved in local agriculture and trade, reflecting the typical social structure of rural England. As the family grew, they became part of the broader migration patterns that defined the early modern period, carrying their name from the rolling hills of the English countryside into the historical record of East Anglia.
Knapp Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
cnap
A small hill or a rounded summit.
This name
KnappA topographic name for someone who lived near a small hill or mound.
also spelled
Knap
Knape
Related arms
Knapvariant spelling
Colerecorded with Knapp, same area
Evansrecorded with Knapp, same area
Newcomerecorded with Knapp, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série G (Clergé séculier)
Dupuy, Roger. La Bretagne sous la Révolution et l'Empire. 2004
Le Goff, Hervé. La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle. 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
knightChivalry and service in arms
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
helmetWisdom and security in defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
