Map of France showing where the Defelice arms are recorded
The Defelice 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 Defelice 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 Defelice Family in France
The surname De Felice, or Defelice, finds its roots in the Latin word felix, which translates to lucky or successful. During the early eighteenth century, families bearing this name were established in the Bretagne region of France. While the name has strong Italian origins, its presence in northwestern France suggests a history of migration and integration into local communities. By 1725, members of the family were documented as active participants in the social and economic life of the Breton provinces. These early ancestors likely worked in trades or agriculture, helping to shape the local culture of the region. As the family moved through different areas, they carried their name as a reflection of their heritage and their desire for prosperity in their new homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felix
Latin word meaning lucky, successful, or fortunate.
This name
DefeliceDerived from the Latin term for a lucky or prosperous person.
also spelled
De Felice
Felice
Feleese
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
