A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Orefice family of France.
Reg. 6005 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une aigle de profil d'or, les ailes ouv. et étendues, posée sur le premier et le troisième de trois monticules accostés de sin. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° deux prob. coupées alt. d'or et d'azur; 2° l'aigle (moins les monticules)”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Orefice arms are recorded
The Orefice arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Orefice 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 Orefice Family in France
The surname Orefice originates from the Italian word for a goldsmith, suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors were skilled artisans who worked with precious metals. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established themselves in the Bretagne region of France, specifically appearing in records by 1725. During this era, families often moved across borders for trade, and it is likely that these ancestors traveled from Italy to France to offer their specialized craftsmanship to the local nobility or merchant classes. As they settled into their new home, the name transitioned from a professional title into a permanent family identifier. This migration highlights the importance of skilled labor in European history, as talented metalworkers were highly valued for their ability to create intricate jewelry and religious artifacts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aurifex
Latin term for a worker in gold or a goldsmith.
This name
OreficeAn occupational surname for a craftsman who works with gold or jewelry.
also spelled
Oreficie
Orefic
Orefichee
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
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
