Map of France showing where the Stoddard arms are recorded
The Stoddard arms were recorded in Boston, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Stoddard 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 Stoddard Family in France
The history of the Stoddard name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and distinct culture of the Bretagne region. While the name is often associated with English roots, the presence of the family in this area by 1725 suggests a long integration into the local community. During this period, families in Bretagne were often defined by their specific trade or their connection to the land. The Stoddards likely lived as part of the rural population during the eighteenth century, navigating the complex social structures of a province that maintained its own unique traditions and legal customs separate from the rest of France. Their life in this coastal region would have been shaped by the maritime economy and the agricultural cycles of the Breton countryside. By settling in this area, the family became part of a historical tapestry that blends local identity with the broader movements of people across Western Europe during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a garb ar. a border engr. of the last”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Stoddard arms are recorded
The Stoddard arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Stoddard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Stoddard Family in England
The surname Stoddard originated in England as an occupational name, specifically referring to a person who worked as a "stod-herd" or a keeper of horses. In Old English, the word "stod" meant a stud of horses, and "hierde" meant a keeper or guardian. By the time the name appears in the historical records of York in 1620, the family had likely been established in the region for generations as part of the rural working class. These early ancestors were essential to the local economy, as the management of horses was vital for both agriculture and transportation in the northern counties. Over time, the spelling evolved from these descriptive titles into the fixed family name we recognize today. This transition reflects the common practice of identifying individuals by their trade, which eventually became a permanent hereditary marker passed down through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
stod-weard
Old English term for a horse keeper or stable guardian.
This name
StoddardAn occupational surname for an individual responsible for the care and management of horses.
also spelled
Stodard
Stoddart
Stodder
Related arms
Stoddartvariant spelling
Stoddervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Galllouédec, Louis, La Bretagne, 1917
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
