A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Espey family of France.
Reg. 2098 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Espey Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Espey arms are recorded
The Espey arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Espey 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Espey Family in France
The family name Espey has deep roots tied to the region of Normandy in northern France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of those living there. Many families from this region were part of a close-knit social structure that relied on local land ownership and community ties. As the seventeenth century progressed, political and religious shifts in France encouraged some families to migrate, eventually spreading the name to other parts of Europe and across the Atlantic. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the Norman people, who blended local dialects with influences from their complex regional history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aspis
A Greek term referring to a shield or a viper.
This name
EspeyDerived from a topographic name for someone living near an aspen tree or a shield-shaped landmark.
also spelled
Espey
Espe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Le Cacheux, Paul, Essai sur les origines des familles normandes, 1928
Société de l'histoire de Normandie, Bulletin de la Société de l'histoire de Normandie, 1895
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
swordJustice, and military honour
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
