A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Montresors family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6481 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à quinze pièces de monnaie d'or et d'arg., posées en pile et alt., 1, 2, 3, 4 et 5, celle du milieu du troisième rang, d'arg., ch. d'une croisette de gu.; le tout accosté de deux poignets de carn., adossés et tenant chacun une épée d'arg., celles-ci se rejoignant en forme de chev., les pointes en haut.”
NormandieEtats-Unis · Normandie, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Montresors arms are recorded
The Montresors arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Montresors 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Montresors Family in France
The Montresor family name is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Normandy, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the mid-seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from the French words for "my treasure," which suggests a connection to a specific estate or a place of significant value held by the family. By 1663, records confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the social and administrative life of the region. During this era, families of this standing often served as local landholders or officials who helped manage the rural economy of northern France. As the family grew, their influence spread beyond their original Norman roots, eventually leading some members to pursue careers in military service and colonial administration. This transition from local landowners to figures of wider national importance reflects the broader patterns of social mobility experienced by many French families during the reign of Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. two arms mailed ppr. holding each a sword erect, on a plate in chief a cross couped gu”
KentDenne Hill · Kent, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Montresors arms are recorded
The Montresors arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Montresors 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Montresors Family in England
The Montresor family name first appears in the historical records of Kent during the early seventeenth century, marking the arrival of a lineage that would eventually integrate into the social fabric of southern England. By 1620, members of the family were established within the region, likely arriving as part of the broader movement of continental families seeking new opportunities across the English Channel. While the name itself carries deep roots in French linguistic traditions, the family quickly adapted to their new environment in the English countryside. Throughout the following decades, they transitioned from being newcomers to becoming active participants in local governance and land management. This period of settlement allowed the family to build a stable foundation that supported their later contributions to military and civil service in Britain. Their presence in Kent serves as a clear starting point for a family history that highlights the long-standing connection between England and its continental neighbors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mon tresor
my treasure
This name
Montresorsa locative or descriptive surname derived from the French phrase meaning my treasure
also spelled
Montresore
Montresorr
Montrayzor
Montreser
Montresour
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Série E (Fonds des familles et généalogies)
Boutier, Jean, Droux, Joël, and Ferte, Patrick, Les Gobelins et les familles de la noblesse normande, 2005
Moréri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
