A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Prell family of France.
Reg. 0988 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine coneLife and fertility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. d'arg., ch. de cinq pommes de pin de sin. et acc. de trois étoiles d'or.”
DauphineDauphine, c. 1663
Where the Prell Arms Were Recorded
Dauphine
Map of France showing where the Prell arms are recorded
The Prell arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify arms.
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 Prell 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Prell Family in France
The family name Prell has deep roots in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During this period, the Dauphiné was a mountainous area known for its rugged landscape and distinct local customs. Families living in this region often worked in agriculture or trade, taking advantage of the valleys that connected the Alps to the Rhone River. Because the name appears in local records during the seventeenth century, it is likely that the family was well-established within the community long before that date. Over time, families in this part of France often moved between mountain villages and larger towns to seek better opportunities, which helped the name persist through generations. By studying these early regional records, we can see that the Prell family was part of the traditional social fabric of the French Alps during a time of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Prêle
A type of horsetail plant or scouring rush.
This name
PrellLikely a topographic name for someone living near a patch of horsetail plants.
also spelled
Prell
Prele
Prelle
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de l'Isère, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien diocèse de Grenoble, 1663
Borel d'Hauterive, André, Annuaire de la noblesse de France et des maisons souveraines de l'Europe, 1855
Chorier, Nicolas, Histoire générale de Dauphiné, 1661
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
pine coneLife and fertility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine coneLife and fertility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
