Map of France showing where the Napoleon arms are recorded
The Napoleon arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Napoleon 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Napoleon Family in France
The name Napoleon, originally spelled Buonaparte, has roots that trace back to the Italian region of Tuscany before the family migrated to the island of Corsica. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the French region of Provence. In 1663, records confirm that members of the family were living in this area, where they integrated into the local society as minor nobility and professionals. The name itself is derived from the old Italian personal name Napoleone, which likely carries meanings related to a lion or a warrior from Naples. While the family is most famous for its later rise to power in the nineteenth century, these early years in Provence show them as a stable and respected lineage long before they became a household name across Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Neapolio
Derived from the Latinized form of the Germanic name Nibelung.
This name
NapoleonLikely signifies a person from Naples or a descendant of the Nibelung lineage.
also spelled
Napollon
Napolonne
Napolons
Napoleon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tulard, Jean. Napoléon ou le mythe du sauveur. 1977
Masson, Frédéric. Napoléon dans sa jeunesse. 1907
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Série E (Registres paroissiaux et état civil)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
