A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Negre family of France.
Reg. 1366 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'or à une tête de More, tort. d'arg; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à une tour d'arg., ouv. et aj. de sa.; au 4 d'or au lion cont. d'azur, tenant entre ses pattes une grenade de sa., allumée de gu., et acc. en p. de trois boulets de sa., 2 et 1, celui à dextre soutenant la jambe dextre du lion, la jambe sen. levée.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Negre arms are recorded
The Negre 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 Negre 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 Negre Family in France
The surname Negre originates from the Occitan and French word for black, which was historically used as a descriptive nickname for individuals with dark hair or a swarthy complexion. While the name is widely distributed across southern France, the presence of the family in the region of Bretagne by 1725 suggests a significant migration pattern during the early eighteenth century. During this era, families often moved across provincial borders to seek new agricultural opportunities or to pursue specialized trades in growing coastal towns. Once established in Bretagne, the family integrated into the local social fabric, likely adapting to the distinct cultural and linguistic traditions of the area while maintaining their ancestral name. This transition highlights how a simple descriptive label evolved into a permanent family identifier that persisted through generations of movement and settlement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
niger
A Latin adjective meaning black or dark in color.
This name
NegreA descriptive nickname for someone with dark hair, a dark complexion, or dark clothing.
also spelled
Neigres
Negre
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
