Map of France showing where the Wentworth arms are recorded
The Wentworth arms were recorded in France, c. 1529.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Wentworth 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 Wentworth Family in France
The history of the Wentworth name in France is tied to the movement of people across the English Channel during the sixteenth century. While the name is primarily associated with English roots, records confirm that family members were established in the region of Bretagne by 1529. During this period, Bretagne served as a vital hub for trade and cross-cultural exchange between the British Isles and the French mainland. Families moving into this area often integrated into the local merchant classes or served in administrative roles that supported the regional economy. The presence of the Wentworth name in French archives from this era suggests that these individuals were likely involved in the complex political and social networks that defined the coastal towns of western France. By settling in Bretagne, these early family members navigated a unique cultural landscape that bridged the gap between their ancestral origins and their new life on the continent.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three leopards' faces or, a border of the last for diff”
YorkBretton · York, c. 1413
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Wentworth arms are recorded
The Wentworth arms were recorded in York, c. 1413.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
Henry IV of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of England
1399–1413
Reigning in France when the Wentworth 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 York.
Origin & History of the Wentworth Family in England
The Wentworth family name originates from a place called Wentworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In the early medieval period, families often took their surnames from the specific village or manor where they lived and held land. By the year 1413, records confirm that members of the family were well-established figures in the region of York. They were part of the landed gentry, which meant they owned significant estates and played an active role in local administration and politics. Over the following centuries, the family grew in influence and expanded their reach across Northern England. Their history is closely tied to the development of Yorkshire, as they served as local leaders and landowners who helped shape the social structure of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wintra
Old English term referring to the season of winter.
This name
WentworthDerived from a place name meaning a settlement located near a winter enclosure.
also spelled
Wentworthe
Wenteworth
Wyntworth
Related arms
Hattingsimilar arms
Wintworthvariant spelling
Fitz-Royrecorded with Wentworth, same area
Vanerecorded with Wentworth, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Les papes et les ducs de Bretagne, 1928
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
