A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sirk family of France.
Reg. 0814 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la bande de gu., ch. de trois coquilles d'arg., posées dans le sens de la bande. Cq. cour. C.: un écran circulaire aux armes de l'écu, orné à l'entour de plumes de paon au nat.; ou, un vol aux armes de l'écu; ou, deux cornes de buffle aux armes de l'écu (Quelquefois éc. des armes de Moncler, qui sont d'arg. à une clé de gu., posée en pal.)”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1442
Where the Sirk Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Sirk arms are recorded
The Sirk arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1442.
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 VII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII of France
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Sirk 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 Sirk Family in France
The history of the Sirk family is deeply rooted in the border regions of Europe, with documented evidence placing family members in the Lorraine region as early as 1442. The name itself is closely linked to the town of Sirck, which is known today as Sierck-les-Bains in modern-day France. During the fifteenth century, this area served as a vital crossroads between the Holy Roman Empire and the Duchy of Lorraine. Families living in this territory often took their surnames from the specific locations where they held land or conducted business. Because the region was a center for trade and military activity, the Sirk family likely played a role in the local administration or the management of regional estates. This geographic connection suggests that the family was well-established within the social hierarchy of the Moselle valley long before the modern borders of Europe were finalized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Siricus
A Latin name derived from the word for someone from Syria.
This name
SirkA patronymic or locative surname historically associated with individuals of Syrian origin.
also spelled
Syrk
Sirke
Sirck
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouteiller, Ernest de. Dictionnaire topographique de l'ancien département de la Moselle. 1874
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
