A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Albe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2126 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à l'ours ramp. de gu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Albe Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Albe arms are recorded
The Albe 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 Albe 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 Albe Family in France
The history of the Albe family in France is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the seventeenth century, particularly within the region of Bretagne. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its distinct traditions and strong local identity. During this period, families like the Albes were often connected to the land or local trades, playing a quiet but essential role in the development of their communities. As France moved through the late 1600s, the Albe name became part of the social fabric of the province, reflecting the broader movements of people and the growth of local populations. While the specific origins of the name are tied to the linguistic shifts of the region, the presence of the family in Bretagne highlights their long-standing connection to the history of western France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ravenConstancy and divine providence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la fasce d'arg., ch. de deux corbeaux de sa. Cq. cour. C.: deux pl. d'aut., d'arg. et de gu. L.: de sa., d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Albe Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Albe arms are recorded
The Albe arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Albe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Albe Family in Germany
The family name Albe has deep roots in the southern regions of Germany, particularly within the historical landscape of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Albe family were established residents in this area, likely participating in the agrarian or trade-based economy common to the region in 1765. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic naming traditions, potentially derived from short forms of names containing the element "alb," which translates to elf or supernatural being. During this period, families often lived in small, tight-knit village communities where their identity was closely tied to their local parish and the surrounding farmland. As the family grew, they contributed to the social fabric of rural Bavaria, navigating the shifting political boundaries and economic challenges of the Holy Roman Empire before the onset of the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Albus
Latin term meaning white or bright.
This name
AlbeA topographic or descriptive surname referring to someone with a fair complexion or white hair.
also spelled
Albee
Albey
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)
Poter de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Galliot, Marcel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1965
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bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ravenConstancy and divine providence
