Map of France showing where the Szeles arms are recorded
The Szeles arms were recorded in Cambr, c. 1663.
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 Szeles 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 Szeles Family in France
The surname Szeles finds its roots in the Hungarian language, where the word *széles* translates literally to "wide" or "broad." Historically, such descriptive names were often given as nicknames to individuals based on their physical stature or perhaps the layout of the land they farmed. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Szeles family were established in the region of Cambr. During this period, families in this area were often tied to the local agricultural economy and the shifting borders of the era. The presence of the family in official registers during the mid-seventeenth century suggests they were settled members of the community who participated in local parish life and property management. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of the family’s identity as they integrated into the social and economic fabric of their home region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Széles
Hungarian adjective meaning wide or broad.
This name
SzelesA descriptive nickname for a person of broad physical stature or build.
also spelled
Seles
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kázmér, Miklós. Régi magyar családnevek szótára: XIV–XVII. század. 1993
Magyar Országos Levéltár (National Archives of Hungary). Helytartótanácsi Levéltár, Libri Regii
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
