A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Velarde family of France.
Reg. 5599 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Tiercé en pairle renversé ployé: à dextre de gu. à trois fleurs-de-lis mal-ordonnées d'arg.; à sen. d'or à l'aigle de sa.; en p. d'arg. à un arbre adextré d'une amphiptère de sin. ramp. et cont., attaquée par deux chiens de sa., l'arbre senestré d'un chevalier, à cheval, au nat., perçant de sa lance la gueule du monstre; le tout soutenu d'une terrasse au nat. L'écu entouré d'une bord. d'arg., ch. des mots; ESTE ES EL VELARDE QUE LA SIERPE MATÓ Y CON LA INFANTA CASÓ, en lettres de sa. C.: une femme iss., cour. d'or, hab. d'azur et d'une écharpe diagonale de gu., la main dextre levée.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Velarde arms are recorded
The Velarde 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 Velarde 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 Velarde Family in France
The Velarde family name carries a rich history that traces its roots back to the mountainous regions of northern Spain, specifically within the province of Cantabria. The name itself is derived from the Spanish word "velar," which means to watch or to guard, suggesting that the earliest ancestors may have served as sentinels or protectors of the land. By the early 18th century, the family had expanded their reach beyond the Iberian Peninsula, establishing a documented presence in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1725. This migration was likely driven by the movement of merchants, soldiers, or laborers seeking new opportunities across the border. As they settled in this coastal French province, the family integrated into local communities while maintaining their distinct identity. Their transition from the rugged terrain of Spain to the unique cultural landscape of Bretagne highlights a history defined by adaptability and movement across European borders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Velar
Derived from the Latin word velare meaning to cover or veil.
This name
VelardeA topographic name for someone who lived near a veil or covering.
also spelled
Velard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Morgado García, Arturo. La familia en la España moderna. 2008
Pérez-Bustamante, Rogelio. El linaje de los Velarde. 1985
Archivo Histórico Provincial de Cantabria, Protocolos Notariales de Santander
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
knightChivalry and service in arms
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
knightChivalry and service in arms
