A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Nelle family of France.
Reg. 9796 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois oiseaux du même, les deux du chef affr.”
ArtoisArtois, c. 1663
Where the Nelle Arms Were Recorded
Artois
Map of France showing where the Nelle arms are recorded
The Nelle arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Nelle 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Nelle Family in France
The family name Nelle has deep roots in the historical region of Artois, which is located in northern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, Artois was a landscape defined by shifting borders and frequent conflicts between the French crown and the Spanish Netherlands. Families living in this region often worked in agriculture or local trade, contributing to the development of the rural economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames used to identify individuals within their local parish communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Artois countryside, leaving behind traces in local tax rolls and church registers that document their daily lives and connections to the land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eleonora
A name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning foreign or light.
This name
NelleA diminutive form often associated with the meaning of shining light or mercy.
also spelled
Nelles
Nele
Related arms
Nellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Série G: Clergé séculier
Archives Départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Série E: État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dion, Albert, Histoire de la ville et de la châtellenie d'Armentières, 1862
Guesnon, Adolphe, Documents inédits sur le commerce et l'industrie dans le Pas-de-Calais, 1898
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
