A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Grey family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7336 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'arg. et d'azur. C.: un basilic, le vol levé, posant sa patte dextre sur un chicot en pal. S.: deux basilic, les ailes abaissées. D.: STAT RELIGIONE PARENTUM.”
Francec. 1663
Where the de Grey Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the de Grey arms are recorded
The de Grey 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 de Grey 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 de Grey Family in France
The family name de Grey carries a deep connection to the historical landscape of Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct cultural identity. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this territory, where they likely navigated the complex social structures of the seventeenth-century French provinces. During this era, the name was closely linked to the local landed gentry who managed rural estates and participated in the regional administration of the Breton countryside. The family lived through a time when Brittany maintained a unique legal and political status within the French kingdom, allowing families of their standing to exert influence over local trade and agricultural life. Their presence in the region reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the social fabric of western France long before the major political upheavals of the following centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Barry of six ar. and az. on a chief of the first three annulets gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the de Grey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the de Grey arms are recorded
The de Grey 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 de Grey 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 de Grey Family in England
The family name de Grey traces its roots back to the arrival of Norman settlers in England, where the name originally signified a connection to the village of Graye-sur-Mer in Normandy. Over the centuries, members of the family established themselves as significant landowners and local figures across various regions. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly planted roots in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm their presence in this historic northern hub, where they participated in the social and economic life of the city. This move to York reflected a broader trend of families shifting from rural estates to growing urban centers during the Stuart period. As they integrated into the community, they helped shape the local landscape through their professional activities and civic involvement. This transition from their Norman origins to their established life in York highlights the family's long-standing ability to adapt to the changing political and social structures of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gratus
Latin term meaning pleasing, agreeable, or thankful.
This name
de GreyRefers to a person originating from a place characterized by gray-colored soil or terrain.
also spelled
Degre
Degrais
de Gray
Degray
Degraye
Related arms
Greysimilar arms
van der Gotensimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Poterie, Barthélemy Amédée, Histoire de Bretagne, 1836
La Borderie, Arthur Le Moyne de, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
