A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Unverzagt family of France.
Reg. 8109 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
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 éc. en saut., d'or à une tête de léopard de sa., et de sa. à une fleur-de-lis d'or; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à la barre d'arg. Sur le tout d'or à un chien braque de sa., coil. du champ, ramp. contre un pignonné de cinq pièces de gu. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° le chien braque, iss. et cont.; l. d'or et de sa.; 2° un vol, l'aile dextre aux armes du 1, l'aile sen. aux armes du 2; l. d'arg. et de gu. [V. de la Fontaine comtes de Harnoncour-Unverzagt.]”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Unverzagt arms are recorded
The Unverzagt 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 Unverzagt 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 Unverzagt Family in France
The family name Unverzagt originates from the German language and translates literally to mean "undaunted" or "fearless." Historically, such names were often given as descriptive nicknames to individuals who displayed great courage or a steady temperament during times of conflict or hardship. While the name is deeply rooted in Germanic linguistic traditions, records confirm that members of the family were established in the Bretagne region of France by 1725. This suggests that the family likely participated in the broader patterns of migration that saw individuals moving across European borders for trade, military service, or agricultural opportunities during the early eighteenth century. By settling in Bretagne, the family integrated into a distinct cultural landscape while maintaining a surname that served as a permanent reminder of their ancestral reputation for bravery.
Unverzagt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Unverzagt
Germanic roots meaning not discouraged or fearless.
This name
UnverzagtA descriptive surname for a brave, bold, or undaunted individual.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
