Map of France showing where the Menard arms are recorded
The Menard arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Menard 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 Menard Family in France
The surname Menard originates from the ancient Germanic personal name Meginhard, which combines the elements for strength and bravery. By the time the name became established in the Brittany region of France, it had evolved into a common family name used by people living in rural communities. Records confirm that members of the Menard family were settled in the province of Bretagne by 1663, where they often worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. During this period, the family lived through the social changes of the seventeenth century, which saw many individuals move from small villages to larger towns to seek new opportunities. Because the name was tied to a personal attribute rather than a specific location, it spread across various districts in western France as families grew and migrated over several generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Meginhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning strength and brave or hardy.
This name
MenardA surname originating from a personal name signifying a person of great strength and courage.
also spelled
Mesnard
Mainard
Meynard
Related arms
Médardsame arms
Mesnardvariant spelling
Meynardvariant spelling
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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine. 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
handFaith, sincerity and justice
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
handFaith, sincerity and justice
