Map of France showing where the Urrea arms are recorded
The Urrea 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 Urrea 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 Urrea Family in France
The family name Urrea carries a deep history that traces its roots back to the northern regions of Spain before spreading across Europe. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the province of Bretagne in France. During this period, families often moved across borders due to changes in trade routes, military service, or shifting political alliances between the Spanish and French crowns. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from the town of Urrea de Gaén in the Aragon region of Spain. As the family moved into new territories like Bretagne, they adapted to local customs while maintaining their ancestral identity. This migration highlights the fluid nature of movement in the eighteenth century, as families sought new opportunities in different cultural landscapes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ur
Basque term referring to water or a river source.
This name
UrreaDerived from a topographic location near a river or water source in the Basque region.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen. La nobleza española en la Edad Media. 1988
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
