Map of France showing where the Strain arms are recorded
The Strain 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 Strain 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 Strain Family in France
The name Strain has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, France, where family members were documented as early as 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural landscapes and the social structures of the French provinces. Families in this region often lived in small, tight-knit communities where their surname helped identify their specific lineage and local origins. As the seventeenth century progressed, the people bearing this name were part of the complex social fabric of western France, navigating the agricultural traditions and regional customs that defined life in Bretagne. Over time, the family name became a lasting marker of their heritage, reflecting the history of the families who settled and worked in these coastal lands centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Extraneus
Latin term meaning foreign, strange, or from the outside.
This name
StrainAn occupational or descriptive name for a newcomer or stranger to a community.
also spelled
Saint-Romain
Saint Romain
San Romain
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Jones, G. T., The History of Breton Families, 1994
Le Gall, J., Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
