Map of France showing where the Sales arms are recorded
The Sales arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Sales 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Sales Family in France
The surname Sales traces its roots back to the medieval period in France, where it functioned as a topographic name for families living near a large hall or a manor house. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the Languedoc region, a historic province in the south of France known for its distinct cultural identity and agricultural wealth. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Sales family were active participants in the local community during this era, likely working as landowners or skilled tradespeople within the social structure of the Languedoc countryside. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the regional fabric, reflecting the broader migration patterns and social shifts that defined life in southern France during the reign of Louis XIV. This early presence in Languedoc serves as a primary anchor for the family history, illustrating how the name evolved alongside the development of local parishes and provincial administration.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin. à une massue au nat., posée en barre, le manche en bas.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Sales arms are recorded
The Sales arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield 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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in France when the Sales arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aragon.
Origin & History of the Sales Family in Spain
The surname Sales has deep roots in the northeastern region of Spain, particularly within the historic Kingdom of Aragon. The name is often classified as a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived near a specific landmark or a place known as a "sala" or hall. By the early 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in Aragonese society, where they participated in the local agricultural and administrative life of their communities. These early ancestors were part of the social fabric that defined the region during the Bourbon transition in Spain. As the family grew, they moved through the valleys and towns of Aragon, leaving behind records in parish registers and local census documents that confirm their presence as landowners and laborers. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the rural identity of northern Spain during the 1700s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. four quatrefoils ar”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Sales arms are recorded
The Sales arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Sales arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Sales Family in England
The surname Sales is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In medieval England, the word "sale" referred to a large hall or a manor house, and individuals who worked at or resided near such a building often took the name as their own. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Sales family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this period, York was a center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Sales were often integrated into the local parish systems. As the family grew, they moved through the changing landscape of English society, transitioning from their roots as residents of manor halls to becoming documented citizens within the bustling urban environment of York.
Sales Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Salix
Latin term referring to the willow tree.
This name
SalesA topographic surname for someone who lived near a willow tree or a willow grove.
also spelled
Salez
Saless
Sale
Sailles
Sayles
Related arms
Salevariant spelling
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 de l'Hérault, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
