A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amory family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2166 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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., acc. en chef de deux molettes (5) d'or et en p. de trois roses mal-ordonnées du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Amory Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Amory arms are recorded
The Amory 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 Amory 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 Amory Family in France
The family name Amory traces its roots in France to the historic region of Bretagne, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1663. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the ancient Germanic name Amalric, which translates to a combination of words meaning work and power or ruler. During the seventeenth century, families in this part of France often lived in rural parishes where they were deeply connected to the local land and the traditions of the Breton people. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and administrative records of their local communities. By the time the name appears in official documents in the mid-1600s, it was already well-integrated into the local culture, reflecting a long history of settlement and development within the French countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly: 1st and 4th, Amory, viz., ar. two bars gu. on a bend engr. with plain cottises sa. two annulets of the field; 2nd and 3rd, Heathcoat, vert. three piles one reversed in base betw. the others issuant from the chief each charged with a pommeis thereon a cross of the 2nd”
DevonHeathcoat-Amory · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Amory Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Amory arms are recorded
The Amory arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Amory arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Amory Family in England
The Amory family name has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the ancient Germanic name Amalric, which traveled into England following the Norman Conquest. Over several generations, this name evolved through various spellings as it became integrated into the local language and culture of the West Country. By 1620, the Amorys were recognized as a notable family in Devon, often participating in the social and economic life of the region. Their presence in this part of England suggests they were part of the landed or merchant classes who helped shape the local community during the Stuart period. This early history reflects the broader movement of names across Europe and their eventual transformation into the distinct family identities that define English local history today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haimirich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning home and ruler or power.
This name
AmoryA name signifying a powerful or brave ruler of the home.
also spelled
Amorie
Amorye
Amery
Amerie
Related arms
Damersame arms
Brocourtsimilar arms
Caronsimilar arms
Amorievariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Books: Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Books: Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
