Map of France showing where the Starn arms are recorded
The Starn arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's 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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Starn 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Starn Family in France
The family name Starn has deep roots tied to the historical province of Forez in east-central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this region, which was known for its rugged mountains and fertile river valleys. During the seventeenth century, Forez was a place of significant agricultural and industrial activity, particularly in the production of iron and textiles. Families living in this area often identified themselves through their connection to the local land or their specific trade within the community. As the Starn family settled into this landscape, they became part of the social fabric of the region, living through a time when France was transitioning into a centralized monarchy under Louis XIV. Their presence in the historical documents of Forez suggests that they were active participants in the local economy and community life during this formative era of French history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
stare
Latin verb meaning to stand or remain fixed.
This name
StarnA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent standing stone or landmark.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province de Forez, 1663
Gonon, Marguerite, La vie quotidienne en Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1960
Relave, Abbé, Notes historiques sur le Forez, 1885
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
