A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vacchiano family of France.
Reg. 1768 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du flanc dextre de l'écu; au 2 d'azur plein; au 3 de gu. plein; au 4 d'arg. à trois roses naturelles de gu., tigées et feuillées de sin., posées sur une terrasse du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° une aigle iss. et cont. de sa.; l. d'arg. et d'azur: 2° les meubles du 4; l. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1785
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Map of France showing where the Vacchiano arms are recorded
The Vacchiano arms were recorded in France, c. 1785.
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 XVI of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XVI of France
1774–1791
Reigning in France when the Vacchiano 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 Vacchiano Family in France
The Vacchiano family name carries a history deeply rooted in the movement of people across European borders during the late eighteenth century. While the name possesses linguistic roots that suggest an origin in the Italian peninsula, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1785. During this era, families often migrated due to shifting trade routes, military movements, or the search for new agricultural opportunities. The presence of the Vacchiano name in Bretagne indicates that these early ancestors successfully integrated into the local French society while maintaining their distinct family identity. By settling in this coastal province, the family became part of the complex social fabric of pre-revolutionary France, where they likely contributed to the local economy and community life. Their transition from their ancestral origins to the rugged landscape of Bretagne highlights the resilience and adaptability of the family during a time of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vacca
Latin term for a cow or cattle.
This name
VacchianoDerived from a nickname for a cowherd or someone associated with cattle farming.
also spelled
Vacane
Vacan
Vacanoh
Vakano
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Delumeau, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1969
Le Goff, Jacques, La civilisation de l'Occident médiéval, 1964
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