Map of France showing where the Rico arms are recorded
The Rico arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Rico 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Rico Family in France
The history of the Rico family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Brittany, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. The name itself likely originates from a Germanic term meaning powerful or brave, which was common among families living in northern regions during the Middle Ages. As the family established their lives in the Breton countryside, they were part of a distinct cultural group that maintained strong local traditions and a unique language. Life in seventeenth-century Brittany was often defined by agricultural work and maritime trade, and the Rico family likely participated in these essential activities to support their community. By settling in this coastal province, the early members of the family became part of a long lineage of people who helped shape the social and economic fabric of the region. Their presence in the historical record during this period highlights a transition from rural life into the documented history of the French provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 de gu. au lion naiss. d'or, mouv. de la p. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'or. L.: d'or et de gu.”
HesseHesse, c. 1824
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Map of Germany showing where the Rico arms are recorded
The Rico arms were recorded in Hesse, c. 1824.
Hesse was central German country, divided among a large number of small landowners and prosperous towns. So many separate households held ground there that the region produced an unusual number of coats of 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 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 Rico 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 Hesse.
Origin & History of the Rico Family in Germany
The surname Rico has deep roots in the German region of Hesse, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1824. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in rural communities where local record-keeping became more standardized under regional administrative reforms. The name likely evolved as a shortened or localized variation of longer Germanic or Latin-based names that were common in central Europe during the transition into the nineteenth century. Families bearing this name were typically integrated into the agrarian society of Hesse, contributing to the local economy through farming, trade, or specialized craftsmanship. As the nineteenth century progressed, the movement of people within the German states allowed the name to persist in regional church registries and civil census documents, marking the family as a stable part of the local population during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ricohard
A Germanic compound meaning powerful or brave ruler.
This name
RicoA French surname derived from the Germanic name meaning brave ruler or powerful.
also spelled
Rico
Recoo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Poterie, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1975
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
