A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Limoges family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coticé d'or et de gu.”
The Limoges arms were recorded in Limousin, c. 1663.
Limousin was upland farming country in central France, poor in money but full of old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when arms were recorded.
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 Limoges 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 name Limoges is a locative surname, which means it was originally given to people based on the place where they lived. It comes from the city of Limoges, which is the capital of the Limousin region in central France. During the 17th century, the name began to solidify as a way to identify families who migrated from this specific area. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the Limousin region by 1663. At that time, many people moved away from their ancestral homes to seek new opportunities in other parts of France or across the Atlantic in the New World. As these individuals settled in new communities, they kept the name Limoges to honor their regional roots and their family history. This practice helped preserve a connection to their heritage even as they built lives in different environments.
The ancient tribal territory of the Lemovices people.
