A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Billy family of France.
Reg. 7296 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ramLeadership and authority
Colours
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'azur au chev., acc. en chef de deux étoiles et en p. d'une tête de bélier, le tout d'or.”
PicardiePicardie, c. 1663
Where the Billy Arms Were Recorded
Picardie
Map of France showing where the Billy arms are recorded
The Billy arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Billy 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Billy Family in France
The family name Billy finds its roots in the northern regions of France, with strong historical evidence placing the family in the Picardie province by the year 1663. The name itself is likely derived from a place name, as many surnames from this era were taken from the specific villages or estates where a family lived. In the French language, names ending in the suffix "y" often point to a geographic location or a small settlement. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the Billy family were well-established within the local social structure of Picardie, likely working as landowners or skilled tradespeople. As the family grew, they became part of the regional tapestry of northern France, contributing to the agricultural and cultural life of the area for generations. This early presence in Picardie suggests that the family was deeply connected to the land and the evolving history of the French countryside during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wilhelm
Derived from Germanic elements meaning will or desire and helmet or protection.
This name
BillyA diminutive form of William, signifying a resolute protector or a strong-willed guardian.
also spelled
Byllie
Bily
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales de la Somme, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Book: Moréri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique ou Le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1674
Book: Belleval, René de, Les sceaux du Ponthieu, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ramLeadership and authority
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ramLeadership and authority
