A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Tam family of France.
Reg. 5846 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion d'arg., cour. d'or, celui du 1 cont.; aux 2 et 3 d'or à la barre de gu., ch. de cinq roses d'arg. Sur le tout de sa. à un L d'or, cour. du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° le lion du 1, iss., supp. de ses pattes une rose de gu., tigée et feuillée de sin.; entre deux prob. coupées alt. d'arg. et d'azur; l. d'arg. et d'azur; 2° six pl. d'aut. d'arg., ch. chacune sur la cime d'une rose de gu.; l. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Tam arms are recorded
The Tam arms were recorded in France, 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 Tam 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 Tam Family in France
The family name Tam has deep roots in the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1725. During this period, the area was a hub of maritime activity and rural tradition, shaping the lives of those who carried the name. Families in this part of France often lived in close-knit communities centered around local parishes and agricultural work. Because Bretagne maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of the country, the name likely evolved within this unique linguistic landscape. Over time, the family members became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the history of their villages through their daily labor and community ties. These early ancestors helped define the legacy of the name long before modern record-keeping practices became standard.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thomas
Derived from the Aramaic word for twin.
This name
TamA French locative or patronymic surname originating as a shortened form of Thomas.
also spelled
Tamm
Thamm
Tame
Related arms
Mohr de Tarantspergsimilar arms
Roonsimilar arms
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
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Collection de l'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
