Map of France showing where the Vidal arms are recorded
The Vidal arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Vidal 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 Vidal Family in France
The surname Vidal has deep roots in the Occitan region of southern France, particularly within the city of Toulouse. Derived from the Latin word *vitalis*, which means full of life or vital, the name was often used as a given name before it transitioned into a hereditary family surname during the Middle Ages. By the time the family was documented in Toulouse in 1663, the name was well-established among the local population. During this era, families in the Languedoc region were often tied to the land or specific trade guilds that supported the bustling economy of the Garonne River valley. As the Vidal family grew in prominence, they became part of the social fabric of Toulouse, which was a major center for law, education, and commerce in the seventeenth century. Their presence in the city records from that time reflects a period when the family was likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes that helped define the unique cultural identity of southern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 feuille de vigne de sin., 2, 1 et 2. C.: une feuille de l'écu.”
Portugalc. 1706
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Map of Portugal showing where the Vidal arms are recorded
The Vidal arms were recorded in Portugal, c. 1706.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Lisboa.
Lisbon was the seat of the Portuguese crown and the port its wealth came through. Families made rich by trade and by service to the king took arms, and the crown's heralds recorded them there.
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 Portugal in this period.
Peter II of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Peter II of Portugal
1683–1706
Reigning in France when the Vidal arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Portugal
In Portugal, a coat of arms was a family possession that passed from a father to his children. Every legitimate descendant had the right to use the family shield without needing to change it. Younger branches of the family kept the original design, though they sometimes added small symbols to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
The Cartório da Nobreza acted as the official body that managed and regulated noble titles and coats of arms in Portugal.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms through bloodline, though they could also receive new grants from the crown for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the books of the Cartório da Nobreza starting in the year 1512.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Portugal.
Origin & History of the Vidal Family in Portugal
The name Vidal carries a deep history in Portugal, rooted in the Latin word *vitalis*, which means full of life. By the early eighteenth century, the family was firmly established in the bustling capital of Lisboa. During this era, the city was a major center for trade and culture, and families like the Vidals often played roles in the urban life of the kingdom. Records from 1706 show that members of the family were active participants in the social and economic fabric of the city. Because the name was associated with vitality and longevity, it was often passed down through generations as a way to honor these positive traits. As the family grew, they became part of the diverse population that helped define the identity of Lisboa during a time of significant growth and change for the Portuguese nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a cross moline gu. a feather of the field betw. two annulets in pale or”
DevonCornborough · Devon, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Vidal arms are recorded
The Vidal arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Vidal arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Vidal Family in England
The surname Vidal carries a rich history that reflects the movement of people across Europe before the family established a firm presence in Devon by 1620. The name itself is derived from the Latin word vitalis, which means full of life or vital. It was often used as a given name in medieval times to represent a person who was energetic or lively. As families began to adopt fixed surnames, individuals who held this name migrated from regions in France and Spain into England. By the early 17th century, the Vidal family had settled in the rural landscapes of Devon. During this period, the family integrated into local community life, likely working in agriculture or trade as was common for families in the West Country. Their presence in Devon records from 1620 marks them as part of a long-standing tradition of families who helped shape the social and economic fabric of the English countryside during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vitalis
Latin term meaning of life or pertaining to life.
This name
VidalDerived from the Latin word for life, signifying one who is full of vitality.
also spelled
Vydal
Vydall
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Toulouse, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
cross symbolChristian faith and service
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
