Map of France showing where the Liddel arms are recorded
The Liddel arms were recorded in France, c. 1612.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in France when the Liddel 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 Liddel Family in France
The Liddel name carries a history rooted in the cross-channel connections between the British Isles and the coastal regions of France. By the early 17th century, members of the family were firmly established in the province of Bretagne, a region known for its strong maritime traditions and independent spirit. During this period, families with this name often integrated into the local social and economic structures of French port towns. Their presence in Bretagne by 1612 suggests that they were likely part of a broader network of merchants or travelers who moved between northern France and the surrounding territories. This migration highlights how families of that era maintained influence and identity across different borders through trade and regional settlement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Liddell
A river valley or stream in the border region.
This name
LiddelDerived from a topographic location near the Liddel Water river in the Anglo-Scottish borderlands.
also spelled
Liddel
Lydell
Lidel
Lydall
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Jones, Michael, The Creation of Brittany: A Late Medieval State, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
