A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Martino family of France.
Reg. 6028 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 d'arg. à la croix de Jérusalem d'or (royaume de Jérusalem); aux 2 et 3 de sin. à un écusson de gu., bordé d'or, en abime, ch. d'une feuille de chêne d'arg., la queue en bas (armes d'Eudes dit le Maire, chambellan de Philippe I, roi de France). Sur le tout d'azur à trois tours d'arg. (Martineau) [V. Challon St.-Mard.]”
PicardiePicardie, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Martino arms are recorded
The Martino arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he 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 Martino 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Martino Family in France
The surname Martino traces its roots to the Latin name Martinus, which is derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. Over many centuries, this name spread across Europe as a tribute to Saint Martin of Tours, a highly influential figure in early Christian history. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the Martino family were firmly established in the Picardie region of northern France. During this period, families in Picardie often worked in agriculture or local trades, contributing to the development of the rural economy. Because the region served as a frequent crossroads for travelers and soldiers, the family likely experienced the shifting political landscape of the French kingdom firsthand. Their presence in 1663 places them in a time of significant cultural change, as France moved toward the centralized power of the monarchy under King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Martinus
Derived from Mars, the Roman god of war.
This name
MartinoA patronymic surname indicating descent from someone named Martin, meaning dedicated to Mars.
also spelled
Martinault
Martino
Martineaux
Martineu
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
Archives départementales de la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Picardie
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
leafHappiness and abundance
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
leafHappiness and abundance
