Map of France showing where the Lawhon arms are recorded
The Lawhon 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 Lawhon 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 Lawhon Family in France
The surname Lawhon is believed to have roots in the historical region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records indicate that members of the family were well-established within this coastal territory. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the distinct cultural blend of Breton, French, and Celtic influences common to that area during the seventeenth century. Families in this region often lived in close-knit rural communities where names were tied to specific geographic landmarks or traditional occupations. As the family grew, some members eventually migrated away from their ancestral home in Bretagne to seek new opportunities, which helped the name spread into different regions and eventually across the Atlantic. This early history highlights a family deeply connected to the maritime and agricultural traditions of western France long before the name became common in other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Leon
Derived from the Latin word for lion.
This name
LawhonA locative surname referring to someone from the French region of Leon.
also spelled
Laonne
Laun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
