A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berey family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8575 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce de sa., le bord supérieur dentelé.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Berey Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Berey arms are recorded
The Berey 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 Berey 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 Berey Family in France
The family name Berey finds its early roots in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct cultural identity and deep ties to the sea. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this province by 1663, living during a period when the area was transitioning under the centralizing power of the French monarchy. In the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where surnames were tied to specific local geography or trade roles. Because the region maintained a strong sense of independence from the rest of France, the Berey family likely navigated a social structure defined by parish life and regional customs. Their presence in the area during this time suggests they were part of the foundational population that helped shape the local history of the province before the major social shifts of the following centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 chev. brisé d'arg., acc. de trois molettes du même.”
ChampagneChampagne, c. 1700
Where the Berey Arms Were Recorded
Map of Britain showing where the Berey arms are recorded
The Berey arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1700.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in France when the Berey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Berey Family in Britain
The history of the Berey name in Britain is closely tied to the movement of people across the English Channel during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. While the family roots were firmly established in the Champagne region of France by 1700, the name began to appear in British records as Huguenot refugees and skilled tradespeople sought new opportunities away from political and religious instability on the continent. These early arrivals often settled in London, where they integrated into the local economy by working in specialized crafts or trade. As they adapted to life in Britain, the spelling of the name sometimes shifted to match the phonetic habits of English speakers, though it remained a distinct marker of their French heritage. By establishing themselves in new communities, these early family members helped build the diverse cultural landscape that defined British urban life during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bérenger
Derived from the Germanic elements for bear and spear.
This name
BereyA patronymic surname originating from the ancient Germanic personal name meaning bear-spear warrior.
also spelled
Bereyh
Bereye
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Poter, Jean-Yves, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1996
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
