A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vaca family of France.
Reg. 6911 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un boeuf de gu., pass. sur une terrasse de sin.; au chef d'azur (quelquefois ce chef est ch. de trois étoiles d'or). C.: six pl. d'aut., à dextre une d'azur entre deux d'arg., et à sen. une d'azur entre deux d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Vaca arms are recorded
The Vaca 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 Vaca 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 Vaca Family in France
The surname Vaca carries a history deeply rooted in the agricultural and pastoral traditions of Europe. While the name is often associated with regions in Spain and Italy, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne by 1725. In the local language, the name is derived from the Latin word for cow, which suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely cattle herders or farmers who lived off the land. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often integrated into the rural social structures of northwestern France. They lived as part of the working class, contributing to the local economy through livestock management and trade. Because the name is descriptive of a specific trade, it likely emerged independently in different areas as people began to adopt surnames to identify their professions within their communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vacca
Latin term for a cow or female bovine.
This name
VacaAn occupational name for a cowherd or a nickname for someone with bovine characteristics.
also spelled
Vaccah
Vaccas
Vacch
Vaka
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
Morvan, Françoise, Bretagne est une fête, 2010
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes d'Armor, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
