A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Monk family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9565 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois têtes de lion du même. C.: un chapeau de tournoi de gu., retr. d'herm., supp. un chat sauvage assis, parti de sa. et d'arg., la tête de front: entre deux branches d'olivier de sin. S.: un dragon et un lion, chacun tenant entre ses dents une branche d'olivier. D.: FORTITER, FIDELITER, FELICITER.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Monk arms are recorded
The Monk 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 Monk 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 Monk Family in France
The family name Monk carries a rich history that traces back to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne in the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that families bearing this name were established within the region, living among the distinct cultural traditions of northwestern France. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, often used to identify individuals who lived near a monastery or those who displayed a quiet, disciplined demeanor. During this period, families in Bretagne were deeply connected to the land and the local parish systems, which served as the primary centers for recording births, marriages, and deaths. As these families moved through the rural villages of the province, they helped shape the local community identity while maintaining the name as a marker of their heritage. This early presence in Bretagne highlights how a simple name could become a lasting part of the social fabric in a region known for its strong historical independence.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a lion ramp. erm”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Monk arms are recorded
The Monk 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 Monk 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 Monk Family in England
The surname Monk originated in medieval England as a descriptive nickname, likely given to someone who lived near a monastery or acted in a way that reminded others of a religious brother. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 show members of the family living in this historic northern hub, which was a center for trade and religious administration at the time. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Monck or Munck, reflecting the inconsistent spelling habits of the era. Families with this name were often integrated into the local community life of York, participating in the city's guilds and civic duties as the region transitioned through the social changes of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Monachus
A Latin term referring to a solitary person or religious recluse.
This name
MonkAn occupational or descriptive name for someone who lived like a monk or worked for a monastery.
also spelled
Moncke
Monk
Monke
Related arms
Monckvariant spelling
Monckevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1992
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
