Map of France showing where the Odom arms are recorded
The Odom arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Odom 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 Odom Family in France
The family name Odom has deep roots that trace back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this historic territory. The name itself is likely a variation of older Germanic or Old French personal names that evolved as families moved across borders and settled in new communities. During the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in small, tight-knit agricultural or maritime villages. The Odom ancestors were part of a society shaped by the unique Celtic heritage of the region and the influence of the French crown. Over time, the spelling of the name shifted to match the local dialects of the areas where the family eventually migrated, helping the name survive through centuries of social and political change.
Odom Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Odo
A Germanic root meaning wealth, fortune, or prosperity.
This name
OdomDerived from the Old French personal name Odo, signifying a descendant of one who possesses great wealth.
also spelled
Odonn
Odonne
Odonis
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
