Map of France showing where the Regal arms are recorded
The Regal arms were recorded in Bordeaux, c. 1663.
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 Regal 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 Regal Family in France
The family name Regal finds its roots in the vibrant cultural landscape of southwestern France, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of Bordeaux by 1663. During this period, Bordeaux was a major hub for international trade, particularly in the wine industry, which likely influenced the family’s social and economic standing. The name itself is derived from the Old French word *regal*, which translates to royal or kingly. This suggests that the name may have originally functioned as a descriptive nickname for an individual who carried themselves with a dignified air or perhaps served in a position of authority within a local estate. By settling in a prominent port city like Bordeaux, the early members of the Regal family were positioned at the center of a bustling society that connected France to the wider world. Their presence in the region during the seventeenth century reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the urban identity of French cities through commerce and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur à un miroir ovale d'or, le manche accolé d'un serpent d'arg. qui se mire dans la glace; au 2 fascé d'arg. et d'azur; au 3 de gu. à cinq roses d'arg., 2, 1 et 2; au 4 d'or à un lézard de sa., posé en bande. Cq. cour. C.: cinq pl. d'aut., celle du milieu d'or, les deux ext. d'arg., les deux autres d'azur. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1808
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Map of Germany showing where the Regal arms are recorded
The Regal arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1808.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in France when the Regal arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Regal Family in Germany
The family name Regal finds its historical roots in the southern German region of Bavaria. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established within this landscape, a time when the Kingdom of Bavaria was undergoing significant administrative changes under King Maximilian I Joseph. During this period, the government began to formalize civil records and census data to better track the population. Families like the Regals were often tied to the local agricultural economy or the skilled trades that supported growing Bavarian towns. Because the name shares linguistic roots with terms denoting royalty or excellence, it likely functioned as a descriptive nickname or a status-based identifier given to ancestors who held positions of authority or managed estates within their local communities. As the family navigated the social shifts of the 1800s, they remained part of the foundational fabric of Bavarian society, contributing to the regional growth that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rex
Latin term meaning king or monarch.
This name
RegalDerived from a nickname for someone who acted in a regal or kingly manner.
also spelled
Rigail
Reegal
Rigall
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Bordeaux, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Pesez, Jean-Marie, Histoire de la France urbaine: La ville classique, 1981
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
