Map of France showing where the Notar arms are recorded
The Notar arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1632.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Notar 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Notar Family in France
The surname Notar is deeply connected to the professional history of the Lorraine region in eastern France. By the year 1632, families bearing this name were already established in the area, likely serving as local officials or legal scribes. The name itself is derived from the Latin word *notarius*, which refers to a person who writes documents, records legal agreements, or manages official correspondence. During the seventeenth century, individuals with this title held a position of trust within their communities, as they were often the few people capable of reading and writing complex legal texts. As the family settled in Lorraine, they became part of the administrative backbone of the province, helping to maintain order and record-keeping during a time of significant political change. This professional background suggests that the early members of the Notar family were respected figures who played an essential role in the daily operations of their local society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Notarius
Latin term for a scribe, clerk, or shorthand writer.
This name
NotarAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a notary or legal clerk.
also spelled
Notair
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouteiller, Ernest de. Dictionnaire topographique de l'ancien département de la Moselle. 1874
Martin, Jean. La vie quotidienne en Lorraine au XVIIe siècle. 1970
Archives départementales de la Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales de la Moselle, Série E: Familles et notaires
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
