Map of France showing where the Vaillancourt arms are recorded
The Vaillancourt arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1555.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Henry II of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry II of France
1547–1559
Reigning in France when the Vaillancourt 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Vaillancourt Family in France
The family name Vaillancourt traces its roots to the historical region of Lorraine in northeastern France. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by the year 1555. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely originating from a small valley or a specific estate known as a court. During the sixteenth century, families in this part of France often identified themselves by the lands they cultivated or the local geography where they resided. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Lorraine countryside before many descendants eventually migrated to New France in the seventeenth century. This transition marked the beginning of the family's long history in North America, where they helped build early settlements and contributed to the development of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vallon
A small valley or dale derived from the Latin vallis.
This name
VaillancourtA diminutive topographic name for someone who lived in a small valley.
also spelled
Villancour
Villancourtt
Vilancoor
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René, Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec, 1983
Library and Archives Canada, Fonds du Ministère des Colonies, Series G1 (Registres de l'état civil)
Tanguay, Cyprien, Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, 1871
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
