A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brée family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0083 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 deux fasces de sa.; au saut. de gu., br. sur le tout.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Brée Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Brée arms are recorded
The Brée 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 Brée 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 Brée Family in France
The family name Brée finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct cultural identity. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Brée family were well-established within this province. During the seventeenth century, Brittany functioned as a semi-autonomous duchy that maintained unique traditions and social structures separate from the rest of the French kingdom. Families living in this area were often deeply connected to the local land and the maritime economy of the Atlantic coast. The name itself likely evolved from local geographic markers or descriptive nicknames used to identify individuals within their rural communities. As the family grew, they participated in the daily life of the Breton parishes, where church records served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths. These early generations helped shape the local history of the region through their involvement in agriculture and regional trade.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a pile erm. betw. two dexter hands apaumée couped ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Brée Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brée arms are recorded
The Brée arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Brée arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Brée Family in Ireland
The history of the Brée family in Ireland is deeply connected to the urban development of Dublin during the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were already established within the city, a time when Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition. The name likely arrived in Ireland through migration from continental Europe or Britain, as the spelling suggests roots in French or Flemish naming traditions. During this period, families like the Brées often integrated into the merchant and professional classes of the capital, contributing to the city’s growing economic life. As they settled into the local community, the family became part of the diverse social fabric that defined Dublin’s history during the mid-1600s. Their presence in the city archives during this era highlights how families moved across borders to build new lives in Ireland’s most prominent urban hub.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three eagles' legs erased à-la-cuisse sa. armed gu”
WarwickAllesley · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Brée Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Brée arms are recorded
The Brée arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Brée arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Brée Family in England
The history of the Brée family in England is deeply rooted in the social and economic shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic town of Warwick. During this period, Warwick served as a vital hub for trade and local governance, suggesting that early ancestors were likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the Midlands. The name itself reflects the linguistic diversity of the era, as families often adapted their surnames to fit the phonetic patterns of their local communities. As these early family members settled into the rhythms of Warwickshire life, they contributed to the local labor force and civic culture that defined the region before the onset of the English Civil War. Their presence in such a prominent town indicates that the family was well-positioned to participate in the growth of English society during the early Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brie
A geographical region or district located in northern France.
This name
BréeA topographic name for someone who originated from the Brie region.
also spelled
Bre
Bray
Brey
Brie
Braye
Related arms
Braysame arms
Brayevariant spelling
Breyvariant spelling
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
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1970
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
handFaith, sincerity and justice
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
legStrength and swiftness
