Map of France showing where the Postell arms are recorded
The Postell arms were recorded in Ponthieu, c. 1663.
Ponthieu was small coastal country in northern France, on the road armies took between the Channel and Paris. Its families held land in return for service, and men who served carried shields.
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 Postell 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 Ponthieu.
Origin & History of the Postell Family in France
The Postell family name traces its roots to the historic region of Ponthieu in northern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its fertile landscapes and proximity to the English Channel. The name itself is thought to be a topographic surname, likely derived from the Old French word "postel," which referred to a post, a small pillar, or a boundary marker. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have lived near a prominent landmark or served as caretakers for a specific plot of land. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Picardy region before later generations began to migrate, eventually carrying the name to new territories across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
postis
Latin term referring to a doorpost, pillar, or vertical support beam.
This name
PostellOccupational name for someone who lived near a gate or worked as a gatekeeper.
also spelled
Postelle
Postell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Somme, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
