Map of France showing where the Larrieu arms are recorded
The Larrieu arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Larrieu 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Larrieu Family in France
The family name Larrieu originates from the Occitan-speaking region of Languedoc in southern France. The name is topographical in nature, likely derived from the local term "arrieu," which refers to a stream or a small river. During the seventeenth century, families often adopted surnames based on the physical features of the land they farmed or inhabited. By 1663, records confirm that the Larrieu family was well-established within this rural landscape. Life for the family during this period was deeply connected to the agricultural cycles and the local parish communities of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Languedoc, contributing to the development of the local economy and the distinct cultural heritage of southern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
arriu
Occitan term for a stream or river.
This name
LarrieuRefers to a person who lived near a stream or river.
also spelled
Laryeu
Laryu
Larrieux
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales de l'Hérault. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
