Map of France showing where the Napoleons arms are recorded
The Napoleons 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 Napoleons 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 Napoleons Family in France
The family name Napoleon, or Napoleone, has deep roots in the Mediterranean region, with early records placing the family in the Provence area of France by 1663. The name itself is derived from the Italian personal name Napoleone, which likely combines the Germanic elements for "bold" and "lion." Before the rise of the famous emperor, the family was established as part of the minor nobility and professional classes in Corsica and surrounding coastal regions. They were often involved in local administration, law, and military service, which allowed them to maintain a stable social standing across generations. By the time they were documented in Provence during the mid-seventeenth century, the family had already transitioned from their Italian origins into the broader French cultural landscape. This migration was common for families seeking new opportunities in the expanding administrative centers of southern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Neapolio
Derived from the Latin name Neapolio meaning of Naples.
This name
NapoleonsA locative surname referring to an individual originating from the city of Naples.
also spelled
Napollon
Napolonne
Napolons
Napoleon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Masson, Frédéric, Napoléon dans sa jeunesse, 1907
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Provence, 1663
Tulard, Jean, Napoléon ou le mythe du sauveur, 1977
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
