Map of France showing where the Vertz arms are recorded
The Vertz arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's 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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Vertz 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Vertz Family in France
The family name Vertz finds its historical roots in the Forez region of east-central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this historic province. During the seventeenth century, the people of Forez primarily lived in small rural communities focused on agriculture and local craftsmanship. Families in this area often took names that reflected their specific location or the natural landscape surrounding their homes. Because the region was known for its rolling hills and dense forests, the name likely emerged as a way to identify individuals who lived near specific green spaces or wooded clearings. Over time, the family became a part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the region through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Veridis
Latin term meaning green or flourishing.
This name
VertzA topographic name for someone who lived near a green or verdant area.
also spelled
Verte
Vertt
Verteh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fournier, Gabriel. Les villages et les paysans de la France du centre au Moyen Âge. 1975
Archives départementales de la Loire, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
