A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mestre family of France.
Reg. 1429 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à l'aigle de sa., ch. sur sa poitrine d'une fleur-de-lis d'or et posant chaque serre sur une autre fleur-de-lis d'or; au 2 d'or à une tour de gu., mouv. du bas, crén. d'azur, sommée de trois tourelles d'azur, celle du milieu plus élevée, et un bras, arm. d'arg., iss. de cette tourelle et brandissant une épée au nat. L'écu entouré d'une bord. d'azur, ch. de huit flanchis d'or.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Mestre arms are recorded
The Mestre arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Mestre 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 Mestre Family in France
The surname Mestre originates from the Latin word *magister*, which means master, teacher, or skilled craftsman. Historically, this name was often given as an occupational title to individuals who held a position of authority or possessed high-level expertise in a specific trade, such as a master carpenter or a learned scholar. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in the Brittany region of France. In 1725, records indicate that members of the Mestre family were active participants in the local community life of this coastal province. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the social fabric of rural villages, where their professional skills helped support the local economy and infrastructure. As the family grew, they maintained their presence in the region, reflecting the common practice of families remaining in their ancestral territories for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Magister
Latin term meaning a teacher, master, or person in authority.
This name
MestreAn occupational surname for a master craftsman, teacher, or a person of high status.
also spelled
Maistre
Mestre
Maestra
Master
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille 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, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
