A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the St.-Vincent family of France.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or.”
The St.-Vincent arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1663.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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.
Reigning in France when the St.-Vincent arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name St.-Vincent traces its roots to the historic Champagne region of France, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1663. During this era, Champagne was a landscape defined by its rolling vineyards and its strategic importance to the French monarchy. Families living in this area often took names that reflected their connection to local parishes or religious figures, and the name St.-Vincent likely honors Saint Vincent of Saragossa, who is traditionally recognized as the patron saint of winemakers. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were integrated into the local social fabric, likely participating in the agricultural and trade activities that made the region famous. Their presence in the area during this time suggests they were part of the hardworking provincial population that helped shape the identity of Champagne long before it became a global center for viticulture.
Derived from the Latin word vincere meaning to conquer or overcome.
