A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elliss family of France.
Reg. 0295 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or semé de mouch. d'herm. de sa.; à la croix de sa., ch. de cinq croiss. d'arg. C.: une tête et col de lion d'or. S.: deux lions reg. d'arg., crinés de sa., coll. chacun d'une couronne de laurier de sin. D.: NON QUO SED QUOMODO.”
Francec. 1597
Where the Elliss Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Elliss arms are recorded
The Elliss arms were recorded in France, c. 1597.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Elliss 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 Elliss Family in France
The history of the Elliss family name is deeply connected to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1597, records confirm that family members were established in this area, which was known for its strong maritime culture and distinct regional identity. The name likely evolved from early linguistic roots that identified individuals by their patronymic lineage or their specific trade within the local community. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural parishes where they maintained small landholdings and participated in the local agricultural economy. As the family grew, members moved through the provinces of France, eventually seeing the name adapt in spelling and pronunciation as it spread into neighboring regions and across the English Channel. This movement reflects the broader patterns of migration and social change that defined life in late sixteenth-century Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elias
Derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu meaning Yahweh is God.
This name
EllissA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Elias.
also spelled
Elliss
Ellisz
Elys
Ellice
Ellys
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, 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.
ermineDignity and rank
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ermineDignity and rank
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
