A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cavey family of France.
Reg. 9868 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 trois coqs de sa., crêtés, bq., barbés et m. de gu., au chef du premier, ch. de trois mouch. d'herm. du sec.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Cavey Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Cavey arms are recorded
The Cavey arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they 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 Cavey 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Cavey Family in France
The family name Cavey traces its roots to the historic region of Normandy in northern France. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area. The name is believed to be topographic, meaning it likely described the landscape where the earliest ancestors lived or worked. In the local dialect of the time, the name may have referred to someone residing near a hollow, a cave, or a specific type of sheltered terrain. As the family grew, they became part of the vibrant social and agricultural life of the Norman countryside. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the deep connection between the family and the geography of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cavea
Latin term for a hollow space, cage, or enclosure.
This name
CaveyA topographic name for someone who lived near a hollow, cave, or enclosed area.
also spelled
Cavee
Kavee
Related arms
Cavéevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Manche, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
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
ermineDignity and rank
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
