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Could peasants and townspeople use coats of arms in medieval France?

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Image shows a seal depicting several mythical creatures fighting. — heraldry Cylinder seal impression from the Akkadian period with a combat scene between a bearded hero and a bull-man and various beasts.

Yes, in medieval France, it was common for peasants and townspeople to use coats of arms. While heraldry originated among the nobility as a means of identification, the practice spread widely across French society starting in the 13th century.1

By this time, the use of heraldic arms had percolated down from the noble class, and both the bourgeoisie and peasants began bearing them, often using them in the same way as a surname. A notable early example is the peasant Jaquier le Brebiet, who bore arms in 1369 that featured a punning allusion to his name—three sheep (brebis) held by a girl.1

Despite this widespread usage, it is important to note that these individuals were not considered noble simply because they possessed arms. Although there were later attempts to restrict the use of heraldry—such as an ordinance in 1760 that sought to exclude peasants and artisans from bearing arms—these efforts were often met with resistance or failed to be implemented. Ultimately, during the French Revolution, the use of coats of arms was suppressed entirely as they were viewed as symbols of feudalism.1