Map of France showing where the St.-Pierre arms are recorded
The St.-Pierre arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 St.-Pierre 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the St.-Pierre Family in France
The surname St.-Pierre is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place or a dedication to Saint Peter. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the Provence region of France. During this era, families in Provence often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or artisans. Because the name is tied to a saint, it was frequently chosen by families to show their religious devotion or to identify their residence near a local parish church dedicated to Saint Peter. By 1663, members of the St.-Pierre family were active participants in the social and economic life of the region, contributing to the development of the local culture and trade networks that defined southern France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Petrus
Latin word meaning a stone or a rock.
This name
St.-PierreRefers to a person living near a church dedicated to Saint Peter.
also spelled
Saintpierre
Saint Pier
Stpier
Stpere
Related arms
Raggisame arms
San Filipposame arms
du Clauxsimilar arms
St Perevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Les noms de famille de France, 1988
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
