Map of France showing where the Simonian arms are recorded
The Simonian arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1571.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Simonian 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 Simonian Family in France
The history of the Simonian name in France is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Lorraine region during the late sixteenth century. By 1571, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which served as a vital crossroads for trade and migration between Germanic and French territories. The name itself is a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name Simon, which was a popular choice due to its significance in religious traditions of the time. Families living in Lorraine during this period often navigated a complex social environment shaped by the shifting borders of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France. As the Simonian family settled into local life, they likely integrated into the agricultural and artisanal networks that defined the provincial economy. Their presence in the historical record during the 1570s suggests they were part of a stable community that survived the political instability of the era. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the broader patterns of settlement and identity that characterized the early modern French frontier.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur au chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de deux roses d'or et en p. d'un écureuil assis de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Simonian arms are recorded
The Simonian arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Simonian Family in Switzerland
The history of the Simonian name in Switzerland begins with a documented presence in the city of Bern as early as 1745. During this period, Bern was a powerful city-state where family names often reflected the professional or regional origins of its residents. The name Simonian is rooted in the ancient Hebrew name Simon, which means to hear or to listen. While the name is widely associated with Armenian heritage, its appearance in eighteenth-century Switzerland suggests that the family likely arrived through established trade routes that connected the Swiss cantons to the wider world. Families with this name in Bern were often integrated into the local merchant class, contributing to the city's reputation as a hub for commerce and diplomacy. By settling in a region known for its strict record-keeping, the early Simonians became part of a structured society that valued civic participation and local craftsmanship. This early presence highlights how families from diverse backgrounds helped shape the social fabric of Swiss urban centers long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shimon
Hebrew for he has heard or God has heard.
This name
SimonianA patronymic surname meaning son of Simon or descendant of the listener.
also spelled
Symonin
Simonyn
Symonyn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cabourdin, Guy, Histoire de la Lorraine, 1991
Lepage, Henri, Les archives de Lorraine, 1860
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
