Map of France showing where the Nicholas arms are recorded
The Nicholas arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Nicholas 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 Nicholas Family in France
The name Nicholas finds its roots in the ancient Greek name Nikolaos, which means victory of the people. By the time the name became established in France, it was closely tied to Saint Nicholas, a beloved figure whose popularity led many families to adopt the name as a way to honor his legacy. Records confirm that members of the Nicholas family were living in Paris by 1663, a time when the city was undergoing significant growth under the reign of King Louis XIV. During this period, families in Paris often identified themselves through their trade or their neighborhood, and those bearing the name Nicholas were frequently integrated into the bustling social and economic life of the capital. As the name spread throughout the French provinces, it evolved into a common surname that reflected both religious devotion and the cultural shifts of seventeenth-century France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gyronny of eight ar. and az. an eagle displ. erminois, on a chief wavy (in allusion to the services of Capt. NICOLAS, and of his eldest son, Capt. Tour [?]”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Nicholas arms are recorded
The Nicholas arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Nicholas arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Nicholas Family in England
The surname Nicholas finds its roots in the ancient Greek name Nikolaos, which translates to the victory of the people. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the name gained immense popularity across England due to the widespread veneration of Saint Nicholas of Myra. By the time the family established a documented presence in York around 1620, the name had already transitioned from a personal given name to a hereditary surname used to identify specific family lineages. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, placing the Nicholas family within a society undergoing significant social and religious change. Families bearing this name during this era often participated in the local mercantile or craft guilds that defined the economic life of northern English cities. This period marked a time when the family name became firmly cemented in the local parish registers, reflecting the growth and stability of the Nicholas family within the historical landscape of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
NicholasSignifies the victory of the people.
also spelled
Nikolas
Nikola
Nicholas
Nichols
Nicolson
Related arms
Nicbolasvariant spelling
Nichollvariant spelling
Nicholsvariant spelling
Nicolasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives Nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
