A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Airey family of France.
Reg. 2356 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur au chev. d'arg., ch. de trois quintefeuilles du champ et acc. en chef de trois étoiles rangées du sec. et en p. d'une couronne murale d'or. Cq. timbré d'une couronne murale d'or. C.: deux bras arm., les mains de carn. tenant ensemble une quintefeuille d'azur. S.: à dextre un cheval d'arg., bridé de gu., caparaçonné d'azur bordé d'or, coll. d'une couronne murale de gu.; à sen. un lion d'or, coll. d'une couronne murale de gu. D.: JE LE TIENDRAI.”
Francec. 1876
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Map of France showing where the Airey arms are recorded
The Airey arms were recorded in France, c. 1876.
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 Airey Family in France
The family name Airey has deep roots that connect to the rugged landscapes of Northern England, particularly in the Lake District, where the name likely originated as a descriptive term for people living near a high, open mountain pasture or an eagle’s nest. While the name is firmly tied to British history, the family also established a notable presence in France by the late nineteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Airey family were living in the region of Bretagne by 1876. This migration suggests that the family was involved in the cross-channel trade or professional networks that linked Britain and France during the Victorian era. Over time, the name evolved from a local identifier into a distinct surname that traveled across borders, reflecting the mobility of families during a period of rapid industrial and social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aire
Old French word for an area, threshing floor, or nest.
This name
AireyA topographic name for someone who lived near a threshing floor or an eagle's nest.
also spelled
Airy
Aree
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Departmental Archives of Ille-et-Vilaine, Recensement de la population de 1876
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
