A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Monson family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5641 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
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)
“D'or à deux chev. de gu. C.: un lion d'or, ramp. contre une colonne d'arg. S.: un lion d'or et un griffon d'arg., tous deux ornés d'un collier d'azur ch. de trois croiss. d'or, et enchaînés d'azur. D.: PREST POUR MON PAYS.”
Francec. 1611
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Monson arms are recorded
The Monson arms were recorded in France, c. 1611.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in France when the Monson 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 Monson Family in France
The history of the Monson name in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1611. During this period, the region of Bretagne maintained a distinct cultural and social identity that often operated separately from the rest of the French kingdom. Families like the Monsons were likely part of the local landed gentry or professional classes who navigated the complex feudal systems of the seventeenth century. Life in Bretagne at this time was defined by strong maritime connections and a strict adherence to local customs, which influenced how families managed their land and legal affairs. By settling in this coastal province, the early Monson ancestors became part of a resilient community that balanced traditional agricultural life with the growing influence of the French state. Their presence in the historical record during the early 1600s suggests a family that was well-established within the social fabric of the region long before the political upheavals of later centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, two chevronels gu”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Monson arms are recorded
The Monson 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 Monson 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 Monson Family in England
The Monson family name has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in this area, where they were integrated into the local social and professional landscape. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the name Mounson, which likely originated as a patronymic meaning son of Mun or son of Moun. This naming convention was common in medieval England, as families often identified themselves through the given name of a patriarch. As the family grew in York during the 1620s, they became part of the regional history that defined the transition from the Elizabethan era into the Stuart period. Their presence in the city suggests they were active participants in the civic and economic life of Yorkshire during a time of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mons
Latin term meaning a mountain or a prominent hill.
This name
MonsonRefers to a person who lived on or near a mountain or a prominent hill.
also spelled
Monsone
Monsonn
Monsont
Munson
Mounson
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 seigneuriales
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
