Map of France showing where the Saillant arms are recorded
The Saillant arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
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 Saillant 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 Saillant Family in France
The family name Saillant finds its historical roots in the sun-drenched region of Provence, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. The name itself is derived from the French word *saillant*, which describes something that projects outward or stands out prominently. In a historical context, this term was often used to identify individuals who lived near a prominent geographic feature, such as a jutting cliff or a sharp bend in a river. As the family established themselves in the rural landscapes of southern France, they likely became known by this descriptive title within their local community. Over time, this nickname transitioned into a formal surname, marking the family as a distinct part of the social fabric of Provence during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
salire
A Latin verb meaning to leap, jump, or spring forth.
This name
SaillantRefers to someone who is lively, energetic, or prone to jumping.
also spelled
Sailland
Saylant
Sayan
Sallant
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
