A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ursus family of France.
Reg. 4801 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un soleil de gu., acc. de trois pies au nat.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Ursus Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Ursus arms are recorded
The Ursus arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Ursus 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Ursus Family in France
The family name Ursus carries a deep connection to the Latin word for bear, which was a common way to describe someone with great strength or a fierce personality in ancient times. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the region of Normandie, France. During this period, families in this area were often deeply involved in agricultural life or local trade, as the landscape of northern France was defined by its fertile fields and coastal ports. As the name spread through the region, it likely evolved from a descriptive nickname into a permanent surname passed down through generations. This transition reflects a time when many families began to solidify their identities within their local communities, leaving behind a legacy that has endured for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ursus
Latin word meaning bear.
This name
UrsusA surname of Latin origin denoting someone with the characteristics of a bear.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil (1663)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
