A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mwanza family of France.
Reg. 5560 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 une double fleur-de-lis d'arg., posée en bande; l'écu bordé d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un jeune homme iss., posé de profil, hab d'azur bordé d'arg., les bras nus, coiffé d'un chaperon d'azur bordé d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre étendue la fleur-de-lis en pal.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Mwanza arms are recorded
The Mwanza 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 Mwanza 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 Mwanza Family in France
The history of the Mwanza name in the Brittany region of France begins with records dating back to 1725. During this period, the family established itself within the local social structure of the province. While the name is often associated with regions in Central and Southern Africa, its presence in eighteenth-century France suggests a unique history of migration or maritime connection. Families in Brittany at this time were frequently involved in trade, agriculture, or the naval industries that defined the coastal economy. By settling in this specific part of France, these early ancestors became part of a distinct regional culture that valued community ties and local craftsmanship. Their presence in the official records of the era indicates that they were recognized members of the parish or municipal population who participated in the daily life of their village.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mwan
A Bantu term referring to a child or descendant.
This name
MwanzaA surname of Bantu origin, typically signifying a child or offspring.
also spelled
Mans
Mants
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
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Delumeau, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1969
Le Goff, Jacques, La Bretagne et les pays celtiques, 1986
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
