Map of France showing where the Camoys arms are recorded
The Camoys 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 Camoys 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 Camoys Family in France
The family name Camoys traces its roots to the rugged landscapes of Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct cultural identity. By the early eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the family were well established within this province. The name itself likely originated from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific local geography, which was a common practice for families living in rural French communities during that era. As the family navigated the social structures of the time, they became part of the local fabric of Breton society. Their presence in the region during the 1720s suggests they were part of the long-standing tradition of families who maintained deep ties to the land and the local parish systems. This period was a time of transition for many families in Brittany, as they balanced traditional agricultural life with the evolving administrative requirements of the French kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. on a chief gu. three plates”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Camoys arms are recorded
The Camoys arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Camoys 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 England.
Origin & History of the Camoys Family in England
The name Camoys has deep roots in English history, stretching back to the medieval period when families often took their names from specific locations. While the name is famously associated with the Barons Camoys of Broadwater in Sussex during the Middle Ages, branches of the family eventually spread across the country. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in York. During this time, York was a vital northern center for trade and administration, and families living there were often involved in the city’s growing merchant class or local government. These early settlers helped carry the name into a new era of English life, moving away from the feudal estates of the south and into the bustling urban environments of the north. This transition reflects the broader movement of families during the Stuart period as they sought new opportunities in England’s expanding regional cities.
Camoys Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
camus
A Latin term describing someone with a flat or snub nose.
This name
CamoysAn occupational or descriptive surname referring to an individual with a distinctively flat nose.
also spelled
Camoyz
Kamoy
Camoyes
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, 1725
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1978
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
