A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Steffen family of France.
Reg. 8243 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 trois pals de gu. C.: un buste de More, posé de profil, hab. aux armes de l'écu, coiffé d'un bonnet pointu d'arg., retr. aux armes de l'écu, et deux pl. d'aut. d'arg., mouv. du retroussé.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Steffen arms are recorded
The Steffen arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Steffen 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 France.
Origin & History of the Steffen Family in France
The name Steffen is a variant of the ancient Greek name Stephanos, which translates to crown or garland. During the Middle Ages, this name spread across Europe through the influence of the Christian church and the veneration of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. By the time the family was documented in the Brittany region of France in 1663, the name had evolved into various local forms to fit regional dialects. Families living in Brittany during this era often worked in agriculture or maritime trades, as the coastal geography of the region shaped the daily lives of its inhabitants. Because the name was tied to a popular saint, it was frequently passed down through generations, helping the family establish deep roots within their local parish communities. These early ancestors were part of a society that relied on church records to track births, marriages, and deaths, which provides the primary evidence for their presence in the region during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stephanos
Greek word meaning crown, garland, or wreath.
This name
SteffenDerived from the Greek term for a crown, symbolizing victory or honor.
also spelled
Stefen
Stephen
Related arms
Stevenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
