Map of France showing where the Poupard arms are recorded
The Poupard 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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Poupard 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 Poupard Family in France
The Poupard family name has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. In the French language, the name is historically linked to the word "poupard," which was a common term used to describe a chubby or healthy infant. During the seventeenth century, such names often originated as nicknames that eventually became permanent family identifiers as people moved through different villages and parishes. Because the name is tied to this descriptive term, it suggests that early ancestors were likely known for their robust appearance or perhaps their roles as caregivers within their local communities. By the mid-1600s, families with this name were well-established in the rural landscapes of western France, participating in the agricultural and social life of the Breton countryside during a period of significant regional development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
poul
Old French term for a young chicken or pullet.
This name
PoupardA nickname for a young, energetic person or a breeder of poultry.
also spelled
Poupar
Poupartt
Pouparte
Poopar
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, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
