Map of France showing where the le Ster arms are recorded
The le Ster 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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the le Ster 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the le Ster Family in France
The family name Le Ster finds its deep historical roots in the rugged landscape of Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct Celtic heritage. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Le Ster family were well-established within this coastal province. The name itself is derived from the Breton language, where the word ster refers to a river or a stream. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a significant waterway or earned their living through maritime activities along the rocky Breton shoreline. During the seventeenth century, life in Brittany was defined by a strong connection to the land and the sea, and families like the Le Ster were deeply integrated into the local parish systems. These early generations lived through a period of significant social change as the French monarchy sought to centralize power over the traditionally independent Breton territories. Despite these political shifts, the family maintained its presence in the region, preserving their identity through the unique linguistic and cultural traditions that have defined Brittany for centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a fesse az. betw. three fleurs-de-lis gu”
ChesterChester, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the le Ster arms are recorded
The le Ster arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried arms.
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 le Ster 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the le Ster Family in England
The family name Le Ster is deeply rooted in the history of the city of Chester, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and military movement due to its strategic location near the Welsh border and its busy river port. Families living in the city at this time were often involved in the merchant guilds or the local administrative life that defined the urban landscape of the seventeenth century. The name itself suggests a connection to the Middle English word for a star, which may have originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific house sign in an era before street numbers were common. As the family settled into the social fabric of Chester, they became part of the growing population that navigated the political and economic shifts of the Stuart era. Their presence in such a prominent regional center indicates that they were likely integrated into the professional or artisan classes that kept the city functioning during a time of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fess betw. three fleurs-de-lis or”
Irelandc. 1599
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the le Ster arms are recorded
The le Ster arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1599.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the le Ster arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the le Ster Family in Ireland
The family name Le Ster appears in the historical record of Dublin as early as 1599, suggesting that the family was part of the urban merchant or administrative class during a time of significant political transition in Ireland. The name itself is likely of French or Norman origin, pointing to ancestors who may have arrived in the British Isles centuries before moving to the Pale, which was the area around Dublin under direct English control. By the late sixteenth century, families with such names were often integrated into the civic life of the city, working as traders, craftsmen, or local officials. Living in Dublin during this period meant navigating the complex social and religious tensions of the Elizabethan era. While the family name remained relatively rare, its presence in official records from 1599 indicates that they were established residents who participated in the legal and economic systems of the capital city.
le Ster Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Sterenn
A Breton word meaning a star.
This name
le SterA locative or descriptive surname referring to someone living near a star-shaped landmark or a person associated with the sea.
also spelled
Lestor
Lestier
Lestar
Related arms
Leicestervariant spelling
Leistervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Deshayes, Albert. Dictionnaire des noms de famille bretons. 1995
Tanguy, Bernard. Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère. 1990
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
