A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elie family of France.
Reg. 2649 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à la croix d'arg., accostée en chef de deux merlettes affr. d'or en p. de deux étoiles du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Elie Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Elie arms are recorded
The Elie arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Elie 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Elie Family in France
The family name Elie traces its roots back to the ancient region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this coastal territory. The name itself is derived from the Hebrew name Elijah, which means my God is Yahweh. During the Middle Ages, names based on biblical figures became very popular across Europe as people sought to honor their religious heritage. In the context of Bretagne, the Elie family likely lived as part of the local agrarian or artisan communities that defined the region during the seventeenth century. Their presence in this area suggests they were part of the long-standing cultural traditions of the Breton people, who maintained a distinct identity through their language and local customs while living under the French crown.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eliyahu
Hebrew for my God is Yahweh
This name
ElieA French surname derived from the biblical name Elijah signifying divine devotion
also spelled
Elly
Eliee
Elee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morvan, Françoise. La douce vie des fées des houles. 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
