Map of France showing where the Facey arms are recorded
The Facey 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 Facey 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 Facey Family in France
The family name Facey has deep roots in the coastal regions of northwestern France, specifically within the historic province of Bretagne. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living as part of the local community during a period of significant social and agricultural change. The name itself is thought to have evolved from descriptive nicknames or occupational titles common in the Middle Ages, which were eventually passed down through generations as permanent surnames. As the family grew, they became integrated into the fabric of Breton life, likely participating in the maritime and farming traditions that defined the region. Their presence in 18th-century parish registers suggests a stable life rooted in the local traditions and language of the Breton people. Over time, the name persisted as a marker of their ancestral connection to this distinct cultural landscape.
Facey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
facies
Latin term meaning appearance, form, or face.
This name
FaceyA nickname for someone with a distinctive or notable facial appearance.
also spelled
Fasse
Fassee
Fase
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
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.
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