A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crécy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5371 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. au lion de sa., arm. et lamp. de gu., cour à l'antique d'or; à la bord. engr. de gu. S.: un cheval et un griffon.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Crécy Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Crécy arms are recorded
The Crécy arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Crécy 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 Crécy Family in France
The surname Crécy finds its roots in the geography of northern France, where it originated as a locative name referring to those who hailed from towns named Crécy. While the name is famously tied to the site of a major medieval battle, the family line established a distinct presence in the region of Bretagne by the mid-seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this western province by 1663, suggesting a migration from the northern heartlands toward the coast. During this era, families often moved to seek new agricultural opportunities or to serve in local administrative roles within the provincial nobility and merchant classes. By settling in Bretagne, the Crécy family integrated into a unique cultural landscape, blending their northern origins with the traditions of the Breton people as they built their lives in the years following the reign of Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a maunch and hand ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Crécy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crécy arms are recorded
The Crécy 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 Crécy 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 Crécy Family in England
The family name Crécy first emerged in England as a topographical surname, likely adopted by individuals who migrated from the region of Crécy in northern France. While the name possesses deep roots in continental history, its presence in England became firmly established by the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were living in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely integrated into the local merchant or professional classes of the city. As these early settlers established their households, the name evolved alongside the shifting social landscape of northern England, transitioning from a marker of foreign origin to a recognized part of the regional population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crassus
A Latin term meaning thick, fat, or dense.
This name
CrécyA locative surname referring to a place characterized by thick or dense vegetation.
also spelled
Cressy
Kraysee
Crecey
Related arms
Cocq (de) van Delwynensimilar arms
Stempelsimilar arms
van Kerkwyksimilar arms
Créquy-Blanchefortvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
