Map of France showing where the Nicolas arms are recorded
The Nicolas 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 Nicolas 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 Nicolas Family in France
The name Nicolas 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 the popularity of Saint Nicholas, a figure celebrated for his generosity and protection. Families bearing this name were well-integrated into the social fabric of the country by the mid-seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the Nicolas family were living in Paris by 1663, a period when the city was undergoing significant growth under the rule of King Louis XIV. During this era, individuals with this surname often worked as skilled tradespeople, merchants, or minor officials who helped keep the bustling capital running. Because the name was derived from a saint, it was considered a respectable and common choice, allowing families to blend into various levels of French society as they moved through the urban landscape of old Paris.
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 Nicolas arms are recorded
The Nicolas 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 Nicolas 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 Nicolas Family in England
The surname Nicolas traces its roots to the ancient Greek name Nikolaos, which means victory of the people. While the name gained widespread popularity across Europe due to the influence of Saint Nicholas, it became firmly established in England following the Norman Conquest. By the early 17th century, the family had developed a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this historic hub, likely contributing to the local trade and civic life that defined the region during the Stuart period. As the name moved from its classical origins into the English landscape, it evolved through various spellings before settling into the form recognized today, marking the family as a long-standing part of the social fabric in northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Derived from Greek words for victory and the people.
This name
NicolasA French surname signifying victory of the people.
also spelled
Nikolas
Nikola
Nicholas
Nichols
Nicolson
Related arms
Boucher (le) de Casteletsimilar arms
Brockesimilar arms
de Bourbonsimilar arms
Nicholasvariant 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
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
