A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lemmo family of France.
handFaith, sincerity and justiceJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De sa. à trois mains dextres d'arg.”
The Lemmo 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.
Reigning in France when the Lemmo arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Lemmo is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Brittany region of France, where records confirm the family presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique customs and language, often functioning as a semi-independent territory within the French kingdom. Families living in this coastal area during that time were frequently involved in maritime trade, agriculture, or the production of sailcloth, which was a vital industry for the region’s economy. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the specific dialect spoken by the people of the Breton countryside. As the family established their roots in the local parishes, they became part of the social fabric of rural life, participating in the religious and communal activities that defined the era. By settling in this rugged and culturally rich environment, the early members of the Lemmo family helped shape the identity of their community during a period of significant regional transition.
A French term meaning the man or the human.
