A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clive family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0977 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la fasce de sa., ch. de trois étoiles d'or. C.: un griffon pass. d'arg., coll. d'une cou-”
Francec. 1725
Where the Clive Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Clive arms are recorded
The Clive 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 Clive 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 Clive Family in France
The history of the Clive family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm their presence by the year 1725. The name likely evolved from the Old French word clive, which described a steep slope or a cliffside dwelling. Families living near these prominent geographical features often adopted the name to identify their home or their place of work. By the early eighteenth century, members of the family were well-established within the local social structures of the region. They lived as part of the provincial community during a time when France was undergoing significant agricultural and economic shifts. Their survival and growth in Bretagne suggest they were deeply connected to the land and the specific maritime culture of the French northwest. This early history reflects a common pattern where a family name serves as a permanent link to the specific terrain where their ancestors first settled and built their lives.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fesse sa. three mullets or”
CheshireHuxley · Cheshire, c. 1620
Where the Clive Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of England showing where the Clive arms are recorded
The Clive arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 Clive 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Clive Family in England
The surname Clive is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old English word clif, which refers to a steep slope, a bank, or a cliffside. By the early 17th century, the family was firmly established in the county of Cheshire, particularly around the area of Huxley. During this period, the family lived as members of the landed gentry, managing estates and participating in the local governance of the region. Their presence in Cheshire by 1620 reflects a long-standing connection to the landscape of North West England, where the family name became synonymous with the local geography. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and political fabric of the county, maintaining their influence through land ownership and community leadership for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clivus
A Latin term referring to a slope, hill, or rising ground.
This name
CliveDerived from a topographical feature, specifically referring to someone who lived near a cliff or slope.
also spelled
Clyve
Klive
Cliv
Cleve
Cleave
Related arms
Grimstonsimilar arms
Clevevariant spelling
Garlandrecorded with Clive, same area
Jewrecorded with Clive, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Pottier, Jean-Yves, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
