Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à un ange d'or, cour. du même, tenant de sa main dextre un lis de jardin d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Angely family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à un ange d'or, cour. du même, tenant de sa main dextre un lis de jardin d'arg.”
The Angely 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.
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.
The family name Angely carries a deep connection to the historical landscape of western France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in this area, living through a time when Brittany functioned as a distinct province with its own unique customs and social structures. During the 1660s, families in this region were often tied to the land or to the growing administrative needs of the local parishes. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to the concept of a messenger or a divine spirit, reflecting the naming trends common in medieval French society. As these early ancestors navigated life in Brittany in 1663, they were part of a resilient population that maintained strong local traditions while adapting to the centralizing influence of the French monarchy. This period marked a time of transition for many families as they solidified their presence in rural communities and contributed to the social fabric of the French countryside.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à la fasce d'or, acc. de deux étoiles d'arg., 1 en chef et 1 en p. [V. Angelo.]”
The Angely 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.
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.
The family name Angely has deep roots in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living during a time when Bavaria was transitioning through significant political and social changes under the rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic or Latin-based descriptors, likely evolving as families moved between small rural villages and growing market towns. During the mid-18th century, individuals bearing this name were often integrated into the local agrarian or trade-based economy, which defined the daily lives of most citizens in the Holy Roman Empire. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Bavarian society, contributing to the cultural and economic development of their communities long before the unification of Germany.
Latin term derived from Greek meaning messenger or herald.

