A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Papillon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
beeIndustry, order and tireless workJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à trois papillons de gu.”
The Papillon 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.
Reigning in France when the Papillon arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Papillon traces its roots to the French language, where the word translates directly to butterfly. In the context of medieval and early modern France, such names were often descriptive nicknames given to individuals based on their personality, physical appearance, or a specific trade. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the region of Bretagne. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the family were living in this northwestern province, a time when the area was known for its distinct cultural identity and maritime influence. As the family settled into the social fabric of the region, they participated in the local customs and economic life of the French countryside. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who helped define the regional character of Bretagne during the reign of King Louis XIV.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completedbeeIndustry, order and tireless workSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. on a chev. betw. three butterflies ar”
The Papillon arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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.
Reigning in France when the Papillon arms are first recorded.
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.
The Papillon family name first appeared in English records during the early seventeenth century, specifically within the county of Sussex. While the name is of French origin, the family established a firm presence in England by 1620, likely as part of the Huguenot migration fleeing religious persecution on the continent. These early settlers were often merchants or skilled professionals who integrated into the local economy and social structure of southern England. Over time, the family became well-regarded for their involvement in trade and public service, particularly in London and Kent. Their transition from foreign refugees to influential members of the English gentry highlights the broader pattern of how immigrant families helped shape the cultural and economic landscape of seventeenth-century Britain.
Latin term referring to a butterfly or moth.
