A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wauneka family of France.
Reg. 9115 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du parti; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à un compas ouvert d'or, posé en chev., acc. en chef de deux roses d'arg. et entre ses branches d'une étoile du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1o un vol cont. coupé d'or sur sa.; 1. d'or et de sa.; 2o un lion iss. d'arg.; 1. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1875
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Map of France showing where the Wauneka arms are recorded
The Wauneka arms were recorded in France, c. 1875.
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.
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 Wauneka Family in France
The name Wauneka carries a history rooted in the cultural landscape of late nineteenth-century Bretagne. By 1875, members of the family were established within this region of northwestern France, a place defined by its strong maritime traditions and distinct linguistic heritage. During this era, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where surnames were closely tied to local geography and ancestral occupations. While the name itself reflects the unique linguistic evolution of the Breton people, it also suggests a family history shaped by the agricultural and coastal life of the time. As the family moved through the late 1800s, they remained part of a society that valued oral tradition and deep connections to the land. This period serves as the earliest documented point for the family, marking their presence in a region undergoing significant social and economic shifts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wane
Old French term for a wagon or cart driver.
This name
WaunekaAn occupational surname referring to a person who transported goods or operated a wagon.
also spelled
Wanyek
Wanieck
Vaniek
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Recensements de population
Gautier, Marc, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1970
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
