A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pliego family of France.
Reg. 6691 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 échiq. d'arg. et de gu.; au 2 d'arg. à trois fasces d'azur, chaque espace d'arg. ch. de quatre roses de gu., tigées et feuillées du même, posées 2 et 2; le 2e compartiment entouré d'une bord. comp. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Pliego arms are recorded
The Pliego 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 Pliego 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 Pliego Family in France
The family name Pliego has deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of northern Spain before spreading into other regions. By the early 18th century, members of the family were documented living in the province of Bretagne in France. During this era, families often moved across borders due to trade routes, military service, or the search for new farmland. The presence of the Pliego name in Bretagne by 1725 suggests that these early ancestors were likely part of a mobile population that integrated into local communities while maintaining their distinct family identity. As they settled into this new environment, they contributed to the local culture and economy of the region. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their lineage, reflecting a history of migration and adaptation that defined the lives of many families during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Plicare
A Latin verb meaning to fold, bend, or pleat.
This name
PliegoRefers to a person who lived near a fold in the land or a valley.
also spelled
Pliego
Valdes
Pliego-Valdez
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 (1725)
Morvan, Françoise, Bretagne est une terre de passage (2005)
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