A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5859 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de deux colombes du même.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Amy Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Amy arms are recorded
The Amy arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Amy 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 Amy Family in France
The surname Amy has deep roots in the French language, originating from the Old French word *ami*, which translates to friend or beloved. During the Middle Ages, this term was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a kind or sociable personality before it eventually transitioned into a hereditary family name. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the vibrant urban landscape of Paris. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Amy family were active participants in the social and economic life of the capital during the reign of King Louis XIV. As the city grew into a major center for commerce and administration, families like the Amys often found opportunities to serve in local trades or civic roles. This era of French history was marked by significant growth in urban record-keeping, which helps historians trace the presence of the family as they navigated the complex social structures of seventeenth-century Paris.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a pile ar. three bears' heads couped sa. muzzled or”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Amy Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Amy arms are recorded
The Amy arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Amy 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Amy Family in England
The surname Amy has deep roots in the coastal landscape of Cornwall, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1620. The name itself is derived from the Old French word *amé*, which translates to beloved or dear. It likely began as a nickname for a person who was well-liked by their neighbors or perhaps as a term of endearment within a close-knit community. During the seventeenth century, families in Cornwall often lived in small, isolated parishes where they worked in tin mining, fishing, or agriculture. Because the region was geographically separated from the rest of England by its rugged terrain, the Amy family maintained a strong local presence for generations. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Cornish countryside, leaving their mark in local parish registers and land records long before the industrial changes of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amare
Latin verb meaning to love or to hold dear.
This name
AmyDerived from the Old French amée, signifying a beloved person or cherished one.
also spelled
Amie
Amee
Amyas
Amias
Related arms
Amiasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives Nationales de France. Minutier central des notaires de Paris, série ET/LIII
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
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
