A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Molesworth family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7858 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
VairMeans: Protection
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu., à un écusson de vair en abîme, acc. de huit croix recr. d'or, rangées en orle. C.: un bras, arm. au nat., tenant une croix de l'écu. S.: à dextre un Pégase d'arg., criné et ailé d'or; à sen. un Pégase de gu., semé de croix recr. d'or. D.: VINCIT AMOR PATRIAE.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Molesworth arms are recorded
The Molesworth 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 Molesworth 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 Molesworth Family in France
The Molesworth family history in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where members of the family established a presence by 1725. During this period, the family integrated into the local social and economic landscape of the province, often moving within circles that valued land ownership and regional administration. While the name itself has roots that stretch back to England, the branch that settled in France adapted to the local culture and legal systems of the eighteenth century. These early settlers likely navigated the complexities of the French provincial life by forming alliances with other established families in the area. Their relocation to Bretagne highlights a broader pattern of movement across the English Channel, where families sought new opportunities or maintained connections through trade and diplomacy. By embedding themselves in the French countryside, the Molesworths became part of the unique historical tapestry of the region during the final decades of the Ancien Régime.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vair a bordure gu. charged with eight crosses crosslet or”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Molesworth arms are recorded
The Molesworth arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Molesworth 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 England.
Origin & History of the Molesworth Family in England
The Molesworth family name is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a specific landmark or settlement. While the name is associated with various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by the early 17th century. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade, religion, and administration. The presence of the Molesworths in this city suggests they were part of the growing merchant or professional classes who helped shape the local economy. As the family moved through the 1600s, they became increasingly involved in the broader social and political life of the country, transitioning from local residents to figures who held influence in regional governance. This history reflects the broader movement of English families who built their standing through steady participation in urban life and community development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mole
A small burrowing mammal or a mound of earth.
This name
MolesworthDerived from a place name referring to a farmstead located near a molehill or mound.
also spelled
Molsworth
Moleswoeth
Related arms
Gartsiderecorded with Molesworth, same area
Midgleyrecorded with Molesworth, same area
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
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
