A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bey family of France.
Reg. 4512 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 bande d'azur, ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'or.”
DauphineDauphine, c. 1663
Where the Bey Arms Were Recorded
Dauphine
Map of France showing where the Bey arms are recorded
The Bey arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bey 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Bey Family in France
The family name Bey has roots that trace back to the historical province of Dauphiné in southeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this mountainous region, which served as a gateway between the Alps and the Rhône Valley. During the seventeenth century, families in this area often lived in close-knit rural communities where they relied on agriculture and local trade to sustain their households. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames common to the people living in the foothills of the French Alps. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their parishes through labor and community involvement. While the exact origins of the name remain tied to the linguistic shifts of the Dauphiné region, the presence of the family in 1663 highlights their long-standing connection to this rugged and historically significant part of France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baudouin
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bold friend or brave protector.
This name
BeyA French topographic surname referring to someone living near a bay or coastal inlet.
also spelled
Beyy
Bay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de l’Isère, Collection des registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de l'Isère
Baudet, Jules, Histoire de la province de Dauphiné, 1890
Chorier, Nicolas, Histoire générale de Dauphiné, 1661
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
