A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Andrea family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7623 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
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 lévrier courant d'arg., coll. de gu., bordé et bouclé d'or.”
FranceLille, c. 1611
Where the Andrea Arms Were Recorded
Lille
Map of France showing where the Andrea arms are recorded
The Andrea arms were recorded in Lille, c. 1611.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in France when the Andrea 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 Andrea Family in France
The family name Andrea has deep roots in the northern regions of France, particularly within the city of Lille. By the early seventeenth century, the family was already well-established in this bustling trade hub, as evidenced by records confirming their presence there in 1611. During this period, Lille was a center of commerce and textile production, which likely influenced the family’s daily life and social standing. The name itself is derived from the Greek word for manliness or strength, and it evolved through various linguistic shifts as it moved across European borders. While the family was firmly planted in French soil by the early 1600s, their history reflects the broader movement of people and names across the borders of the Low Countries and northern France. These early ancestors were part of a vibrant urban community, contributing to the local culture and economy of the region during a time of significant historical change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Andrew. Gu. seven mascles, three three and one conjoined or, in chief a label ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Andrea Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Andrea arms are recorded
The Andrea arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Andrea 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 England.
Origin & History of the Andrea Family in England
The family name Andrea traces its roots to the ancient Greek name Andreas, which translates to manly or brave. While the name was popular across continental Europe for centuries, its presence in England became more distinct during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. At that time, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, serving as a hub for families who were moving into professional and merchant roles. These early settlers likely arrived as part of the broader social shifts occurring in Northern England, where families often moved to urban centers to take advantage of new economic opportunities. As the name became integrated into English society, it evolved from its classical origins into a permanent fixture of the local community, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Andreas
Derived from the Greek word for man or masculine.
This name
AndreaA name signifying strength, courage, and manly character.
also spelled
Andreae
Andreah
Andria
Andrae
Related arms
Andreævariant spelling
Andreæ d'Ennershausenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Nord, Série G (Fonds du chapitre de Saint-Pierre de Lille)
Lottin, Alain, Histoire de Lille : des origines à l'avènement de Charles Quint, 1982
Trenard, Louis, Histoire de Lille : Tome I, des origines au XVIIe siècle, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
