Map of France showing where the Thill arms are recorded
The Thill 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 Thill 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 Thill Family in France
The surname Thill is primarily recognized as a short form of the name Theodoric or Dietrich, which carries the ancient meaning of a ruler of the people. While the name has deep roots across various regions of Europe, records confirm that members of the Thill family were established in the province of Bretagne by 1725. During this era, families in Bretagne were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, and names were frequently passed down through generations to maintain a sense of community identity. As the family settled into this coastal region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the unique cultural development of the area. The persistence of the name in historical documents from the early eighteenth century suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local parish life and regional economy of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Diederik
Ruler of the people
This name
ThillA diminutive form of the Germanic name Theodoric, signifying a leader of the people.
also spelled
Thil
Duthil
Thill
Til du de Shatovilan
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
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
