Map of France showing where the Lor arms are recorded
The Lor arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Lor 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Lor Family in France
The name Lor traces its roots to the sun-drenched landscapes of southern France, specifically within the historic province of Languedoc. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in this region, a time when the area was known for its distinct cultural identity and agricultural traditions. Life in Languedoc during the 1660s was shaped by the influence of the local nobility and the complex administrative changes occurring under the reign of King Louis XIV. Families living in this part of France often worked the land or participated in the thriving trade networks that connected the Mediterranean coast to the interior. As the name Lor appears in official records from 1663, it suggests that these early ancestors were integrated into the social fabric of their local parish, likely participating in the religious and communal life that defined rural French society at the time. This period marked a time of transition for many families in the south, as the central government in Paris began to exert more control over the provinces, influencing the way families documented their births, marriages, and property holdings.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
foxWit and wisdom in defence
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'arg. sur sa.; à un renard ramp. de l'un en l'autre, ravissant une oie d'arg. C.: les meubles de l'écu.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
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 Germany showing where the Lor arms are recorded
The Lor arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Lor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Franconia.
Origin & History of the Lor Family in Germany
The history of the Lor family in Germany is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Franconia region. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1765. During this period, Franconia was a collection of smaller territories and principalities, which meant that families often lived in close-knit agricultural or craft-based communities. The name Lor likely evolved from local dialects or geographic descriptions common to the region at that time. As the family grew, they participated in the typical life of a German village, contributing to the local economy and social structure. Their presence in 1765 suggests they were part of a stable population that had likely inhabited the region for generations, navigating the shifts in local governance and the changing traditions of central Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lion cont. d'or, soutenu d'une terrasse de sin., tenant entre ses pattes une boule d'azur; au 2 d'azur à trois étoiles (5) d'or, rangées en pal. Cq. cour. C.: un arbre de sin., fruité de gu. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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 Switzerland showing where the Lor arms are recorded
The Lor arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Lor Family in Switzerland
The family name Lor has deep roots in the city of Bâle, Switzerland, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, Bâle was a prominent center for trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Lors were often integrated into the local urban economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the Upper Rhine region. As residents of a city known for its strict guild systems and civic organization, the early Lor family members would have been part of a structured society that valued craftsmanship and local governance. Their presence in the city during the mid-eighteenth century suggests they were part of the steady migration and professional life that defined the Swiss Confederation before the modern era. By living in Bâle, the family was positioned at a crossroads of European culture, which helped shape their identity and influence within the local community over the following generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
laurus
Latin term for the laurel tree or bay tree.
This name
LorA topographic name for someone living near a laurel tree or a laurel grove.
also spelled
Lauer
Lor
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
foxWit and wisdom in defence
duckResourcefulness on land and water
