Map of France showing where the Thatcher arms are recorded
The Thatcher 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 Thatcher 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 Thatcher Family in France
The history of the Thatcher name in France is deeply tied to the regional identity of Bretagne during the early eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with English origins, its presence in French records by 1725 suggests a period of migration or cross-channel movement that was common for families involved in trade or maritime labor. During this era, families living in the coastal regions of Bretagne often adapted their surnames to fit local linguistic patterns while maintaining their original family identity. These early settlers likely integrated into the local parish communities, where their names were recorded in baptismal and marriage registers by local priests. This transition highlights how families moved across borders to seek new opportunities in the agricultural and port towns of western France. By documenting their lives in these official church records, the family established a permanent footprint in the region that persisted long after their initial arrival.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grasshopperNobility of birth and joy in the summer of life
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a cross moline ar. on a chief or, three grasshoppers ppr”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Thatcher arms are recorded
The Thatcher arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Thatcher 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Thatcher Family in England
The surname Thatcher is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who covered roofs with straw or reeds. During the Middle Ages, most people lived in homes with thatched roofs, making this a vital trade in rural villages. As surnames became more common for tax and legal purposes, families often adopted the names of their professions to distinguish themselves from their neighbors. By the early 17th century, the Thatcher name was well-established in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region, likely continuing their traditional craft or transitioning into the agricultural work that defined the local economy. These early ancestors were part of a long lineage of skilled laborers who helped shape the landscape of the English countryside before some eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
tegere
A Latin verb meaning to cover or to roof.
This name
ThatcherAn occupational surname for a person who covered roofs with straw or reeds.
also spelled
Thacher
Thatchar
Thachere
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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grasshopperNobility of birth and joy in the summer of life
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grasshopperNobility of birth and joy in the summer of life
