A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Faas family of France.
Reg. 6585 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
bridgeOne who joins what was divided
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
helmetWisdom and security in defence
swordJustice, and military honour
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de sin. à une rivière en barre ondée d'arg., sur laquelle est jetée un pont en zigzag de sa.; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à une pile de boulets (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 et 7) d'or, sommée d'une serre d'aigle d'or, les ongles en haut; au 4 d'arg. à un casque de dragon panaché, cont., br. sur une épée, posée en barre, la pointe en bas, le tout d'azur, entre deux branches de sin., ployées en cercle, les pieds passés en saut., celle à dextre d'olivier, et celle à sen. de chêne.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Faas arms are recorded
The Faas 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 Faas 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 Faas Family in France
The family name Faas has deep roots that connect to the linguistic and cultural shifts of Western Europe. While the name is often associated with Germanic origins, its presence in the region of Bretagne by 1725 suggests a history of migration and integration into the local French population. During the early 18th century, families in this coastal area were often involved in maritime trade, agriculture, or specialized crafts that defined the local economy. As individuals moved across borders, names were frequently adapted to fit the phonetic patterns of the local language, which helped families establish themselves within their new communities. By settling in Bretagne, the ancestors of the Faas line became part of a unique cultural landscape known for its strong regional identity and historical independence. Their presence in official records from this period highlights a time when families were beginning to solidify their surnames as a permanent way to track their lineage and social standing.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonifatius
Latin for one who does good or a benefactor.
This name
FaasA shortened regional variant derived from the name Boniface, signifying a good person.
also spelled
Fayes
Fay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
bridgeOne who joins what was divided
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
helmetWisdom and security in defence
swordJustice, and military honour
branchPeace, and new growth
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
bridgeOne who joins what was divided
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
helmetWisdom and security in defence
swordJustice, and military honour
branchPeace, and new growth
