Map of France showing where the Tolentino arms are recorded
The Tolentino 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 Tolentino 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 Tolentino Family in France
The name Tolentino originates from the ancient town of Tolentino in the Marche region of Italy, which was named after the Roman emperor Tolentinus. While the name is deeply rooted in Italian geography, families bearing this surname began to migrate across Europe during the eighteenth century due to shifting trade routes and military movements. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the Brittany region of France. During this period, the family likely integrated into local society by working in maritime commerce or regional administration, as Brittany served as a vital hub for trade between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. This migration highlights how the name transitioned from a localized Italian identifier to a broader European surname as individuals sought new opportunities in the coastal cities of western France.
Tolentino Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Tolentinus
Derived from the Latin name for the town of Tolentino.
This name
TolentinoRefers to an individual originating from the Italian city of Tolentino.
also spelled
Tolentini
Tolentina
Tolent
Related arms
Tolentinavariant spelling
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, 1725
Censori, Giovanni, Storia di Tolentino: dalle origini al Medioevo, 1995
Mollat, Michel, Les origines de la navigation bretonne, 1952
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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
