Map of France showing where the Albea arms are recorded
The Albea 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 Albea 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 Albea Family in France
The history of the Albea family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During this period, families in the region were often tied to the land and the local parish system, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive terms used to identify individuals based on their physical traits or the specific areas where they lived. Living in Bretagne meant the family was part of a distinct cultural identity that remained separate from the central French administration for many years. As members of this community, the early Albeas were likely involved in the traditional agricultural or maritime trades that defined the coastal economy of northwestern France. Their presence in the historical record during the seventeenth century suggests a stable life within the local village structure, where families often stayed in the same area for generations to maintain their livelihoods and community connections.
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
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Map of Germany showing where the Albea arms are recorded
The Albea 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 Albea 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 Albea Family in Germany
The roots of the Albea family name in Germany are deeply connected to the social and agricultural landscape of the Bavarian region during the eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area, which was then part of the Electorate of Bavaria. During this period, families often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where their surname was likely tied to their specific geographic location or a local trade. Life in Bavaria at this time was defined by the transition from traditional feudal systems to more organized administrative structures under the Wittelsbach rulers. As the family navigated this era, they were part of a broader demographic shift that saw people settling into permanent roles within their villages. These early ancestors contributed to the local economy and social fabric of their districts, helping to define the identity of the Albea name long before the family expanded into other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Albus
Latin term meaning white or bright.
This name
AlbeaA locative or descriptive surname referring to someone living near a white landmark or having a fair complexion.
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, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1998
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ravenConstancy and divine providence
