Map of France showing where the Paris arms are recorded
The Paris arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Paris 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Paris Family in France
The family name Paris has deep roots in the northern regions of France, where the surname likely emerged as a descriptive identifier for individuals who had traveled from the capital city or maintained strong connections to it. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a documented presence in the province of Artois, a territory known for its complex history of shifting borders between the French Crown and the Spanish Netherlands. Living in Artois during the 1660s meant that these early family members were part of a society transitioning under the rule of King Louis XIV following the Treaty of the Pyrenees. As the region became more integrated into the French state, families like the Paris line often served as local landowners or tradespeople who helped stabilize the economy of the borderlands. Their presence in this specific area suggests a history shaped by the agricultural traditions and the administrative growth that defined northern French life during the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'arg. sur gu.; à un chevreuil ramp. au nat., cour. d'or, tenant entre ses pattes une pierre couverte de mousse, et soutenu d'un tertre de sin. C.: le chevreuil, iss.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1544
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Map of Germany showing where the Paris arms are recorded
The Paris arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1544.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in France when the Paris arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Paris Family in Germany
The history of the Paris family in Germany is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the sixteenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bavaria by 1544. During this era, the name likely functioned as a descriptive identifier or a toponymic reference, linking individuals to specific geographic origins or migration patterns across Central Europe. As the family settled into Bavarian society, they participated in the social and economic structures of the Holy Roman Empire. These early ancestors were part of a period defined by significant religious and political shifts, which influenced how families moved and recorded their identities within local parish and municipal registers. By maintaining a presence in Bavaria, the Paris family became part of the long-standing tradition of regional lineage that helped shape the demographic character of Southern Germany during the Renaissance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. three unicorns' heads couped or”
CambridgeLittle Linton · Cambridge, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Paris arms are recorded
The Paris arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Paris 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Paris Family in England
The surname Paris emerged in England as a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify individuals who had traveled from the city of Paris in France. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the academic and social landscape of Cambridge. Records from 1620 show family members living in this university town, where they were likely integrated into the local merchant or scholarly communities. During this period, the name was often associated with families who moved across the English Channel for trade or religious reasons. These early settlers helped transition the name from a foreign geographical label into a permanent part of the English naming tradition. As the family grew in Cambridge, they became part of the local fabric of the city, contributing to the development of the region long before many of their descendants eventually looked toward the American colonies.
Paris Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Parisi
Refers to the ancient Celtic tribe known as the Parisii.
This name
ParisOriginally a locative surname denoting someone who came from the city of Paris.
also spelled
Parys
Parris
Paryss
Parry
Related arms
Rouletsame arms
Belle-Combesimilar arms
Blausimilar arms
Parysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Gauvard, Claude, La France au Moyen Âge du Ve au XVe siècle, 1996
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, L'Ancien Régime: De Louis XIII à Louis XIV, 1610-1715, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
