Map of France showing where the Malherbe arms are recorded
The Malherbe arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Malherbe 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Malherbe Family in France
The surname Malherbe originates from the French words "mal" and "herbe," which translate literally to "bad grass" or "weeds." In medieval France, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who lived on land that was difficult to cultivate or covered in stubborn vegetation. By the time historical records confirm the family's presence in the Normandy region in 1663, the name had already been established for centuries as a common identifier for families working the rural landscape. The name reflects the deep connection between early French families and the specific geography of their local farms. As the family grew in Normandy, they became part of the long tradition of agricultural life that defined the northern provinces of France. This history highlights how a simple observation about a person's land could eventually become a permanent family name passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un monde d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Malherbe arms are recorded
The Malherbe arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Malherbe Family in Switzerland
The surname Malherbe has deep roots in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it emerged as a descriptive name for individuals living near or working with specific types of vegetation. While the name is often associated with French origins, the family established a notable presence in the city of Bern by 1745. During this period, Bern was a powerful city-state, and families like the Malherbes often integrated into the local urban structure through trade, craftsmanship, or service to the cantonal government. As they settled into the Swiss social landscape, they navigated the complex political environment of the Old Swiss Confederacy. Their presence in Bern suggests they were part of a broader movement of families who moved across regional borders to seek new economic opportunities in the growing administrative centers of the eighteenth century. By maintaining their identity while adapting to the local customs of Bern, the Malherbe family became a small but enduring part of the region's historical tapestry.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Or, a chev. gu. betw. three nettle leaves vert”
DevonFenyton · Devon, c. 1580
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Map of England showing where the Malherbe arms are recorded
The Malherbe arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1580.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Malherbe 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Malherbe Family in England
The surname Malherbe arrived in England as a product of the Norman Conquest, carrying roots that trace back to the French language. While the name originally functioned as a descriptive nickname, it eventually became a permanent family identifier as it moved across the English landscape. By the year 1580, records confirm that members of the family had established a firm presence in the county of Devon. During this period, the family integrated into the local social structure, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents related to land ownership. Their transition from newcomers to established residents reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the West Country during the late sixteenth century. This steady growth in Devon allowed the name to persist through generations, marking the family as a stable part of the regional history of southern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mal herbe
bad or evil weed or herb
This name
Malherbea nickname for a person considered to be a bad or troublesome individual
also spelled
Malherb
Malherbee
Malherbes
Malherby
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales du Calvados, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
