Map of France showing where the Orange arms are recorded
The Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange Family in France
The history of the Orange family in France is deeply tied to the regional identity of Brittany during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with the famous principality in the south, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the Brittany region by 1663. During this era, families often took names based on their geographic origins or local landmarks, and the name Orange likely emerged as a way to distinguish specific branches of a lineage within the local community. Life in Brittany at this time was defined by agricultural traditions and strong local customs, which shaped how families like the Oranges lived and interacted with their neighbors. As these individuals settled into the social fabric of the province, they contributed to the local history of the region through their roles in trade, farming, and community governance. By tracing their presence back to these early records, we see a family that was well-integrated into the daily life and evolving culture of seventeenth-century France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. three pairs of barnacles open in pale gu”
SomersetFoscott · Somerset, c. 1623
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Map of England showing where the Orange arms are recorded
The Orange arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1623.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Orange 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Orange Family in England
The family name Orange has deep roots in the English county of Somerset, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1623. The name likely originated as a topographical or locative surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves during the Middle Ages. It may have referred to individuals who lived near a specific landmark or a place known by that name, or it could have been a descriptive nickname for someone associated with the color or the fruit. Because surnames were often passed down through generations based on where a family settled or how their neighbors perceived them, the presence of the Orange family in Somerset suggests they were well-established members of the local community by the early seventeenth century. As they moved through the English landscape, they helped shape the social fabric of the region, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the history of the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arausio
A pre-Roman Celtic deity associated with a local river spring.
This name
OrangeDerived from the ancient city in Provence, denoting a person from that location.
also spelled
Oranges
Oranje
Oranj
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1968
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
duckResourcefulness on land and water
