Map of France showing where the Simon arms are recorded
The Simon arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1643.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his 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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Simon 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Simon Family in France
The surname Simon is rooted in the ancient Hebrew name Shimon, which means he who hears. During the Middle Ages, the name spread across Europe as a popular given name because of its connection to biblical figures. By the time it evolved into a hereditary family name in France, it was frequently adopted by families living in the northeastern regions. Records show that members of the Simon family were well-established in the province of Lorraine by 1643. During this period, Lorraine was a crossroads of culture and trade, often caught between the influence of the French Crown and the Holy Roman Empire. Families living there during the seventeenth century were often involved in agriculture or local craft guilds. As the name became more common, it served as a way to identify specific lineages within these tight-knit village communities. The presence of the Simon family in Lorraine reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the borderlands of France to build stable lives during a time of significant political change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à trois roses de gu., 2 et 1, abaissées sous un poisson nageant d'arg. C.: une rose de gu.; entre deux prob. coupées d'or sur gu. - Armes mod.: D'arg. à trois roses mal-ordonnées de gu.; le champ chapé-ployé, à dextre d'azur à une clé de sa, le panneton en bas, et à sen. d'or à un poisson d'arg. en barre, la tête en bas. Le C. ancien. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyFulda, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Simon arms are recorded
The Simon arms were recorded in Fulda, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Simon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Simon Family in Germany
The surname Simon is rooted in the ancient Hebrew name Shimon, which means to hear or to listen. As Christianity spread across Europe, the name became popular because of the biblical figure Simon Peter. In Germany, the name evolved into a common hereditary surname during the Middle Ages as people began adopting fixed family names to distinguish themselves in growing towns. By the time records confirm the family presence in the city of Fulda in 1765, the name was already well-established throughout the German-speaking lands. Families living in Fulda during the eighteenth century often worked as skilled tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the local economy of the region. Because Fulda was a significant religious and administrative center under the rule of the prince-abbots, the Simon family likely lived within a society that valued community records and church documentation. This environment helped preserve the family identity across generations as they navigated the social changes of the Enlightenment era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 croiss. versé d'or, surmontant deux étoiles (5) renv. du même; le tout acc. en p. d'un tertre de sin. C.: un jeune homme iss., hab. d'azur, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais du même, les bras étendus, supp. de sa main dextre un croiss. montant d'or et de sa sen. une étoile du même.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Simon arms are recorded
The Simon arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Simon Family in Switzerland
The surname Simon has deep roots in the Swiss landscape, evolving from the ancient Hebrew name Shimon, which means to hear or to listen. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of Berne in 1745, the name had already been used for centuries across Europe as both a given name and a hereditary surname. In the context of Swiss history, families bearing this name were often integrated into the local civic life of the cantons, where they participated in the agricultural and merchant trades that defined the region. Because Switzerland maintained meticulous records of its citizens to manage local governance and religious affiliations, the presence of the Simon family in 18th-century Berne suggests they were part of a stable, organized community. These early Swiss ancestors likely navigated the transition from rural life to the growing urban centers, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the Swiss Confederation during a time of significant political change.
Simon Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Shimon
Hebrew verb meaning to hear or to listen
This name
SimonDerived from a biblical name signifying one who hears or is heard by God
also spelled
Symon
Simonn
Simone
Related arms
Baylerecorded with Simon, same area
Bernardrecorded with Simon, same area
Colasrecorded with Simon, same area
Desméesrecorded with Simon, same area
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
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle. Registres paroissiaux de Lorraine. 1643
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
