Map of France showing where the Steinhardt arms are recorded
The Steinhardt 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 Steinhardt 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 Steinhardt Family in France
The surname Steinhardt is of Germanic origin, typically translating to "stone-hard" or "stony grove," which suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near rocky terrain or worked as stonemasons. While the name is deeply rooted in Central European linguistic traditions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Bretagne region of France as early as 1663. This migration indicates that the family was part of the broader movement of people across European borders during the seventeenth century, likely seeking new opportunities or fleeing regional conflicts. By settling in Bretagne, the family integrated into the local culture while maintaining their distinct ancestral name. Over time, the name evolved from a descriptive term for a person’s environment or trade into a permanent family identifier that persisted through generations of life in Western Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stein and Hard
Stone and hard or strong
This name
SteinhardtA topographic name for someone living near a prominent stone or rocky outcrop.
also spelled
Steinhardt
Steinharten
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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.
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
