Map of France showing where the Shira arms are recorded
The Shira arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Shira 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Shira Family in France
The family name Shira finds its historical roots in the region of Forez, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Forez was a landscape defined by its rolling hills and a strong connection to the local land and agricultural traditions. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where their identity was closely tied to their specific village or parish. The name likely emerged during a time when surnames were becoming more permanent to help local officials track taxes and parish records. As the family established themselves in this region, they became part of the social fabric of central France, living through a period of significant transition as the French monarchy consolidated power across the provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shir
A Hebrew term referring to a song or a poem.
This name
ShiraDerived from Hebrew, it signifies a poetic or musical composition.
also spelled
Chyrat
Kirat
Shira
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Forez
Gonon, Marguerite, La vie quotidienne en Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1963
Lafond, Jean, Histoire de la province du Forez, 1975
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
