A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brye family of France.
Reg. 3502 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 quatre fasces de sa.; au lion de gu., br. sur le tout.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Brye Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Brye arms are recorded
The Brye arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Brye 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 Brye Family in France
The family name Brye finds its historical roots in the rugged and culturally distinct region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this coastal territory, which was known for its strong maritime traditions and unique linguistic heritage. The name itself likely evolved from local geographical descriptions or nicknames common to the Breton people during the early eighteenth century. As residents of this province, the early Brye family lived through a time of significant social change as the region navigated its relationship with the French crown while maintaining its own ancient customs. These ancestors were part of a resilient community that relied heavily on agriculture and trade, helping to shape the identity of the family as it grew within the historic landscape of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brie
A geographical region in northern France known for its fertile land.
This name
BryeA topographic surname referring to someone who originated from the Brie region.
also spelled
Brie
Bry
Brie-de
Bree
Related arms
Bryvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de l'état civil et des registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Galliou, Patrick, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2005
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
