Map of France showing where the Lohan arms are recorded
The Lohan 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 Lohan 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 Lohan Family in France
The family name Lohan has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. The name is believed to have originated from the local Breton language, which was the primary tongue spoken in the area during that period. Many surnames in this region were derived from descriptive nicknames or the specific geographic features of the land where a family resided. As the family established themselves in the rural landscape of western France, they likely worked as farmers or artisans who were closely tied to the traditions of their local parish. Over the centuries, the name remained concentrated in this coastal province, reflecting a history of stability and strong regional identity before the family eventually expanded into other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lohann
A Breton diminutive form of the name Louis meaning famous warrior.
This name
LohanDerived from the Germanic name Ludwig, signifying a renowned and illustrious fighter in battle.
also spelled
Lohane
Lohann
Lowan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Deshayes, Albert, Dictionnaire des noms de famille bretons, 1995
Tanguy, Bernard, Les noms de lieux bretons, 1975
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
