Map of France showing where the Ponce arms are recorded
The Ponce arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Ponce 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Ponce Family in France
The family name Ponce carries a rich history that traces back to the ancient Latin name Pontius, which signifies a bridge or a connection. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Ponce family were firmly established in the Picardie region of northern France. During this era, Picardie was a vital agricultural and strategic hub, and families living there often played essential roles in local community life and trade. As the name spread through the region, it became associated with the hardworking people who cultivated the fertile lands of the north. Over time, the name evolved from its Roman roots into a distinct identifier for families living in the French countryside, reflecting a long lineage of individuals who contributed to the development of their local parishes and villages.
Ponce Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Pontius
Derived from the Latin word for bridge or fifth-born son.
This name
PonceA French habitational or patronymic surname indicating a connection to a bridge or the Roman name Pontius.
also spelled
Ponse
Ponsa
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales de la Somme. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
