A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clary family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0219 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. d'or, surm. d'un croiss. d'arg. et acc. en chef de deux clés d'or et en p. d'un soleil du même.”
LimousinLimousin, c. 1663
Where the Clary Arms Were Recorded
Limousin
Map of France showing where the Clary arms are recorded
The Clary arms were recorded in Limousin, c. 1663.
Limousin was upland farming country in central France, poor in money but full of old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when arms were recorded.
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 Clary 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 Limousin.
Origin & History of the Clary Family in France
The family name Clary finds its historical roots in the rugged and forested region of Limousin, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this central French province. The name likely evolved from local geographic features or descriptive nicknames common to the rural populations of the seventeenth century. During this era, families in Limousin were often deeply connected to the land, working as farmers or skilled tradespeople in small, tight-knit communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the local parish life and administrative systems that defined life in pre-revolutionary France. Their presence in the area during this time suggests a long-standing history of stability and local influence that helped shape the identity of the name for generations to come.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à trois bill. malordonnées d'azur; au 2 d'azur à une tour d'arg., ouv et aj. de sa., posée en barre, mouv. du canton dextre de la p. Cq. cour. C.: un bras, paré d'arg., iss. de la couronne, la main de carn. empoignant une bannière aux armes du 1, flottant à sen. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Clary Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Clary arms are recorded
The Clary arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Clary Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in France when the Clary arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Clary Family in Austria
The history of the Clary family in Austria is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Tyrol region. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this mountainous area. During this period, the Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between Central Europe and Italy. Families living in these alpine valleys often held positions related to local administration or land management, which allowed them to become integrated into the social fabric of the region. As the family settled into their lives in the Austrian Alps, they adapted to the unique customs and political shifts of the Habsburg territories. Their presence in 1772 suggests that they were part of a stable community that navigated the transition from traditional feudal structures toward the more modern bureaucratic systems of the late eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. three chev. or, a label of five points over all, in chief az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Clary Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Clary arms are recorded
The Clary 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 Clary 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 Clary Family in England
The surname Clary has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this area. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Clarys were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural life of the surrounding countryside. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to local geography or personal nicknames common in the medieval era. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the growth and stability of the region during a time of significant political change in England. Their presence in York suggests they were settled members of the community who participated in the daily commerce and civic duties of one of the country's oldest cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clarus
Latin term meaning clear, bright, or famous.
This name
ClaryDerived from a locative name referring to someone from Clair or a bright, illustrious person.
also spelled
Clari
Clarie
Klary
Clarey
Related arms
Bellonsimilar arms
Colombsimilar arms
Havartsimilar arms
Clarivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Haute-Vienne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Chéruel, Adolphe, Dictionnaire historique des institutions, mœurs et coutumes de la France, 1855
Lévis-Gse, Albert, Histoire de la province du Limousin, 1902
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