Map of France showing where the Vassar arms are recorded
The Vassar arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1624.
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.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Vassar 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 Vassar Family in France
The Vassar family name traces its roots to the historical region of Lorraine, which sits on the border of modern-day France and Germany. By 1624, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, living through a time of significant political change and religious tension in Europe. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older French terms related to local geography or specific trades practiced in the rural villages of the Lorraine countryside. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the complex life of the seventeenth century while maintaining their presence in the region. Their early history reflects the typical experiences of families living in the heart of Europe, where movement between neighboring provinces was common and community ties were essential for survival.
Vassar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Vassus
A Latin term referring to a servant or a vassal.
This name
VassarA topographic name for someone who lived near a valley or a servant of a feudal lord.
also spelled
Vassart
Vasard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Meurthe-et-Moselle, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien duché de Lorraine, 1624
Bastien, Pierre, Histoire de la Lorraine et de ses familles, 1982
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
