A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bais family of France.
Reg. 9522 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
branchPeace, and new growth
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à une branche de corail de gu.; au fr.-q. d'azur ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'or; et au lambel de trois pendants d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Bais Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Bais arms are recorded
The Bais arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Bais 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Bais Family in France
The family name Bais has deep roots in the historical province of Lyonnais, where members of the family were documented as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was a vital center for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself is thought to be topographic, often originating from people who lived near low-lying areas or wetlands, as the word relates to the French term for a low place. As the family established itself in the Lyonnais countryside, they became part of the local social fabric that defined the rural landscape of pre-revolutionary France. Over time, the family name persisted through generations, reflecting the steady migration and growth patterns common to families living in the heart of the Rhône valley.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bais
Old French term for a kiss or a greeting.
This name
BaisA topographic name for someone living near a small wood or thicket.
also spelled
Bayse
Bay
Base
Related arms
Beysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Lyonnais, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Mée, René, Démographie historique de la France, 1984
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
branchPeace, and new growth
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
branchPeace, and new growth
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
