A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Orla family of France.
Reg. 7303 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois socs de charrue d'or, posés en pairle, mouv. d'une rose d'arg. en abime. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'arg., entre un vol du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Orla Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Orla arms are recorded
The Orla 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 Orla 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 Orla Family in France
The family name Orla traces its roots back to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub characterized by its unique linguistic heritage and strong ties to the sea. Families living in this area often derived their names from local geography, specific trades, or personal traits that were significant to their village communities. As the Orla family established themselves in the seventeenth century, they were part of a society deeply influenced by maritime trade and rural agriculture. The survival of these early records suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local parish systems, which served as the primary method for tracking births, marriages, and deaths in rural France at the time. Over the centuries, the name persisted as a marker of this specific regional identity, reflecting the enduring traditions of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aurum
Latin word meaning gold or golden.
This name
OrlaDerived from a French toponymic or nickname referring to a golden-haired person.
also spelled
Orlah
Orlaa
Orlae
Related arms
Kellermeister von der Lundsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil (1663)
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1995
Le Page, Dominique, Pour en finir avec le Moyen Âge : La Bretagne au XVIe siècle, 2012
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
