A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Prehn family of France.
Reg. 6089 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or; au chef de gu., ch. de trois los. d'or. C.: un chapeau pyramidal d'or, le retroussé de gu. ch. de trois los. accolées d'or, sommé de six plumes de coq de sa.”
FranceEmpire, c. 1561
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Map of France showing where the Prehn arms are recorded
The Prehn arms were recorded in Empire, c. 1561.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Prehn 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 Prehn Family in France
The family name Prehn has deep roots that trace back to the coastal regions of northern Europe, with significant historical evidence placing members of the family in the province of Bretagne by 1561. During this period, the name was often associated with families living near the Baltic Sea, where the term was used to describe individuals who were skilled in trade or possessed a distinct physical presence. As the family moved westward into France, they integrated into the local social structures of the sixteenth century, likely adapting to the linguistic and cultural shifts of the region. The presence of the Prehn name in official records from the mid-1500s suggests that they were established members of the community who played a role in the local economy and social life of the time. This migration pattern highlights how families moved across borders to pursue new opportunities, leaving behind a trail of records that allow us to reconstruct their journey through history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Prunus
Latin term for a plum tree or its fruit.
This name
PrehnA topographic name for someone who lived near a plum orchard.
also spelled
Prehne
Prehnn
Prehner
Pren
Related arms
Herckensheimrecorded with Prehn, same area
Russierecorded with Prehn, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
