A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Size family of France.
Reg. 6691 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 trois tours d'arg., rangées en fasce, acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or et en p d'un croiss. du même [Par arrêté royal du 12 nov. 1817 les armes du comte de Sèze, défenseur du roi Louis XVI, ont été modifiées de la manière suivante: De gu. au château du Temple d'arg., acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or et en p. de seize fleurs-de-lis d'arg., 7, 6 et 3. D.: 26 DÉCEMBRE 1792.]”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Size arms are recorded
The Size arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Size 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Size Family in France
The family name Size finds its historical roots in the southwestern region of France known as Guyenne. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Guyenne was a vibrant territory defined by its agricultural output and its proximity to the Atlantic trade routes. Families living in this region often took names that reflected their local environment or their specific roles within the community. The name Size likely evolved from regional dialects spoken in the Gascony area, where linguistic shifts often turned descriptive terms into lasting surnames. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, living through a period of significant political change as the French monarchy consolidated its power over the provinces. By remaining in this region, the early members of the family helped shape the local history of their villages and towns during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Assis
Derived from the Latin assidere meaning to sit or be seated.
This name
SizeRefers to a person who held a settled position or lived on a specific estate.
also spelled
Sez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Gironde, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Boutruche, Robert, Une société provinciale en lutte contre le régime féodal: L'alleu en Bordelais et en Bazadais du XIe au XVIIIe siècle, 1963
Higounet, Charles, Histoire de Bordeaux, 1963
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
