Map of France showing where the Langan arms are recorded
The Langan arms were recorded in France, c. 1674.
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 Langan 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 Langan Family in France
The family name Langan originates from the historical region of Brittany in northwestern France. Records confirm that members of the Langan family were well-established in this area by the year 1674. The name is linked to the commune of Langan, which is located in the modern-day department of Ille-et-Vilaine. In the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt the name of the land they owned or the village where they resided. As the family grew, they became part of the local social structure and were involved in the regional affairs of the Breton countryside. Over time, the name spread as family members moved to different parts of France and eventually traveled to other countries. This movement helped preserve the name as a distinct identifier of their Breton roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Longus
Latin term meaning long or tall in stature.
This name
LanganA topographical or descriptive surname referring to a person of tall physical stature.
also spelled
Langane
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Poterie, Michel, Les noms de famille bretons, 1982
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux de la commune de Langan
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