A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rok family of France.
Reg. 0891 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un pélican d'arg. avec ses petits du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Rok Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Rok arms are recorded
The Rok arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Rok 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 Rok Family in France
The family name Rok has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique customs and language, often separating it from the rest of the French kingdom. Families in this coastal area frequently relied on agriculture, maritime trade, or local craftsmanship to sustain their households. The name itself likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the Breton people, who maintained a strong cultural identity tied to their Celtic heritage. As these early ancestors navigated life in a rural society, they helped establish the foundation for the family line that would eventually spread across different regions. By studying these early records, we gain a clearer picture of how the family adapted to the social and economic shifts occurring in western France during the late 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rocco
Derived from the Germanic word hrok meaning rest or repose.
This name
RokA French surname likely originating as a topographic reference to a rock or stone.
also spelled
Rocq
Rok
Rock
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, Série E, 1663
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de la série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux, 1663
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pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
