A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abey family of France.
Reg. 5039 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au saut. alésé de gu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Abey Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Abey arms are recorded
The Abey arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Abey 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 Abey Family in France
The family name Abey finds its historical roots in the region of Bretagne, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province with a unique cultural identity and a strong connection to the sea. Families living in this area often took names that reflected their local geography or the specific trades they practiced within their coastal communities. As the name moved through generations, it became a marker of this Breton heritage, linking descendants to the rural landscapes and maritime traditions of northwestern France. Over time, the name persisted as a testament to the resilience of these early ancestors who navigated the social and economic changes of the French countryside during the reign of Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbas
Aramaic and Hebrew term meaning father or head of a household.
This name
AbeyA locative or occupational surname derived from the French word for an abbot.
also spelled
Abbee
Abay
Related arms
Abbévariant spelling
Abéevariant spelling
Abyevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de la série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Galliot, Marcel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
