Map of France showing where the Reynal arms are recorded
The Reynal arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1713.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Reynal 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Reynal Family in France
The family name Reynal finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of southern France, specifically within the region of Provence. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1713. The name itself is derived from the ancient Germanic name Raginwald, which combines elements meaning counsel and rule. Over many generations, this name evolved through local dialects into the form used today. Families bearing this name in Provence were typically integrated into the local social fabric, often working as skilled tradespeople or landowners who contributed to the stability of their rural communities. As the family grew, they remained closely tied to the geography and culture of the Mediterranean coast, reflecting the broader history of migration and settlement patterns that defined the French countryside during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raginwald
Germanic elements meaning advice or counsel and ruler or power.
This name
ReynalA French surname derived from Germanic roots signifying a powerful advisor or ruler.
also spelled
Reinal
Raynal
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1713
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
