A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lovelace family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9846 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu.; au chef denché d'arg., ch. de trois martinets de sa. (Lovelace); au 2 d'azur au saut. engr. d'arg., ch. de cinq martinets de sa. (Hengham); au 3 de gu. au saut. d'arg., ch. d'une rose de gu. (Nevill). C.: une aigle d'arg., perchée sur un tronc d'arbre au nat. S.: deux Pégases de pourpre.”
Francec. 1627
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Map of France showing where the Lovelace arms are recorded
The Lovelace arms were recorded in France, c. 1627.
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
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Lovelace 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 Lovelace Family in France
The family name Lovelace possesses deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscape of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1627, historical records confirm that members of this lineage were established within the region, living amidst a culture defined by its unique Celtic heritage and maritime traditions. During this period, families in Bretagne often navigated complex social shifts as the province integrated more closely with the French crown. The Lovelace name likely evolved through the local linguistic patterns of the time, reflecting the movement of people across the English Channel between France and Britain. These early ancestors were part of a mobile society where trade, military service, and regional governance shaped the lives of families living in coastal towns. Their presence in 17th-century Bretagne highlights a history of cross-cultural connection that defined the lives of many families in the era before modern borders were strictly enforced.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fesse indented sa. and gu. in chief three martlets ar”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Lovelace arms are recorded
The Lovelace arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Lovelace 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 Lovelace Family in Ireland
The history of the Lovelace family in Ireland is deeply connected to the political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in England, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Ireland was experiencing significant upheaval due to the Irish Confederate Wars. Families like the Lovelaces often arrived in Dublin as part of the administrative or military expansion supported by the English government. By settling in the capital, they became part of a growing class of residents who helped manage the city during a time of intense conflict. Their presence in Dublin during the mid-1600s suggests they were involved in the civic and social life of the city as it transitioned through one of its most turbulent eras.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. on a chief indented ar. three martlets sa”
BerksHurley · Berks, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Lovelace arms are recorded
The Lovelace arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Lovelace 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Lovelace Family in England
The Lovelace family name is deeply rooted in the history of southern England, with significant records placing the family in the county of Berkshire by the early 17th century. The name is believed to be locative in origin, likely derived from a specific place or settlement in the Kent region where the family first established their influence. As the family grew in prominence, they became notable landowners and figures of local authority, particularly during the reign of King James I. By 1620, the Lovelace name was well-established in Berkshire, reflecting the family's transition from regional landowners to influential members of the English gentry. Their history during this period is closely tied to the shifting political and social landscape of the time, as they navigated the complexities of life in rural England while maintaining their status and family estates.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lupus
Latin term meaning wolf.
This name
LovelaceDerived from a nickname for a person with wolf-like characteristics or a dweller near a wolf habitat.
also spelled
Lovelas
Lovelass
Luvlace
Loveles
Related arms
Lovelasvariant spelling
Lovelesvariant spelling
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
Jones, Michael, The Creation of Brittany: A Late Medieval State, 1988
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
