Map of France showing where the Rome arms are recorded
The Rome arms were recorded in France, c. 1723.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Rome 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 Rome Family in France
The family name Rome has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the northwestern region of Bretagne. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well established in this area. During this period, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique customs and social structures. Families like the Romes often lived in rural parishes where they worked the land or engaged in local trades. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive label for individuals who had traveled to the city of Rome or who had some connection to the religious life centered there. As the family grew in Bretagne, they became part of the local fabric of village life, contributing to the agricultural and social development of their communities. Their presence in the region by 1723 suggests that they were settled, stable members of French society long before the major political shifts of the later century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fess gu. in chief a lion pass. of the second”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Rome arms are recorded
The Rome arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Rome arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Rome Family in Scotland
The family name Rome has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, with historical documentation placing members of the family in Edinburgh as early as 1748. During the eighteenth century, the name was closely associated with the growing urban centers of Scotland where families often worked as merchants, craftsmen, or legal professionals. While the name is sometimes linked to geographical origins in the border regions, the presence of the Rome family in Edinburgh suggests they were part of the professional class that helped shape the city during the Scottish Enlightenment. These early residents lived through a time of rapid social and economic change in Scotland. Their history reflects the broader movement of families from rural areas into the capital city to pursue new opportunities in trade and administration. By establishing themselves in Edinburgh, these early ancestors helped secure the name within the historical record of Scotland's most prominent city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Roma
The Latin name for the city of Rome
This name
RomeA locative surname originally denoting someone who had traveled to or from Rome
also spelled
Roome
Roem
Room
Related arms
Beaumaissimilar arms
Bigressimilar arms
Boucotsimilar arms
Romvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1723
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de la série B, Juridictions seigneuriales, 1723
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
foxWit and wisdom in defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
foxWit and wisdom in defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
