Map of France showing where the Ohayon arms are recorded
The Ohayon 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 Ohayon 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 Ohayon Family in France
The family name Ohayon is deeply rooted in North African Jewish history, primarily tracing its origins to the Maghreb region. While the name is most commonly associated with Morocco and Algeria, historical records indicate that members of the family established a presence in the Brittany region of France as early as 1663. This migration likely occurred due to the complex trade networks and shifting political landscapes that connected Mediterranean port cities to the Atlantic coast of France. During this period, families often moved to seek new economic opportunities or to escape regional instability. The name itself is thought to derive from the Arabic word for "living" or "life," reflecting a traditional naming convention that emphasizes longevity and vitality. By settling in Brittany, early members of the Ohayon family integrated into local society while maintaining their unique cultural identity, marking a significant chapter in the family's long history of movement and adaptation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hayyim
Hebrew word meaning life or living.
This name
OhayonA patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew name meaning son of the living one.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Attal, Robert. Les Juifs d'Afrique du Nord: Bibliographie. 1973
Archives Départementales du Finistère. Série B: Cours et juridictions. 1663
Toledano, Joseph. Une histoire des familles juives du Maroc. 1999
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
