A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vallat family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5751 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
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)
“De gu. à deux hallebardes d'or, passées en saut.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1559
Where the Vallat Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Vallat arms are recorded
The Vallat arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1559.
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 Vallat 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 Vallat Family in France
The family name Vallat has deep roots in the eastern French region of Lorraine, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1559. The name is derived from the Old French word "val," which refers to a valley, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely people who lived in or managed land within a specific lowland area. During the sixteenth century, Lorraine was a crossroads of European culture and politics, situated between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this region often experienced significant shifts in governance and social structure as the Duchy of Lorraine maintained its own unique identity before eventually becoming part of France. By settling in this fertile territory, the early Vallat family became part of a rural society that relied on agriculture and local trade to survive. Over time, the name spread from these valley settlements into surrounding towns, marking the family as a stable presence in the historical landscape of eastern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. à cinq épis d'or, tigés et feuillés de sin., rangés sur une terrasse du même et acc. en chef de trois étoiles (5) rangées du sec.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, rangées entre les quatre pendants d'un lambel de gu.”
ItalyBologne, c. 1775
Where the Vallat Arms Were Recorded
Bologne
Map of Italy showing where the Vallat arms are recorded
The Vallat arms were recorded in Bologne, c. 1775.
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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in France when the Vallat arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Italy.
Origin & History of the Vallat Family in Italy
The Vallat family name carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural and social landscape of Northern Italy. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Bologna, a city renowned at the time for its prestigious university and its role as a hub for trade and intellectual exchange. During this period, Bologna was part of the Papal States, and families like the Vallats were often integrated into the local urban fabric as skilled artisans, merchants, or professionals who contributed to the city’s vibrant economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the area, reflecting the family's long-standing connection to the traditions and daily life of the Emilia-Romagna region. As the family navigated the shifting political tides of the late 18th century, their presence in such a prominent city suggests they were active participants in the civic growth and historical development of the Italian peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vallum
Latin term for a rampart, wall, or defensive earthwork.
This name
VallatA topographic name for someone who lived near a valley or a defensive embankment.
also spelled
Vallat
Vala
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
Schneider, Jean, La ville de Metz aux XIIIe et XIVe siècles, 1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
axeThe execution of military duty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
axeThe execution of military duty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
