A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eiss family of France.
Reg. 4991 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec. en saut.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à un alcyon d'azur, soutenu d'une rose de gu., bout d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux”
FranceNassau, c. 1663
Where the Eiss Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Eiss arms are recorded
The Eiss arms were recorded in Nassau, 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 Eiss 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 Eiss Family in France
The family name Eiss carries a rich history that traces back to the region of Bretagne in western France by the year 1663. During the seventeenth century, families in this coastal area were often deeply connected to the local landscape, which influenced how surnames were recorded in parish registers and tax documents. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames used to distinguish specific households within small village communities. As families moved through the provinces of France, the spelling of the name may have shifted slightly to match the phonetic habits of local scribes. By settling in Bretagne, early members of the Eiss line became part of a distinct cultural tradition that valued land ownership and local trade, helping to establish the name within the historical records of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Isen
A Germanic term referring to the metal iron.
This name
EissDerived from a nickname for a person with a strong or unyielding character.
also spelled
Eiss
Is
Eys
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne)
Ploix, Jean-Baptiste, Histoire de la Bretagne et de ses familles, 1892
Le Gall, Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne: Origines et évolution, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
