Map of France showing where the Faile arms are recorded
The Faile arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Faile 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Faile Family in France
The history of the Faile family name is deeply rooted in the northern regions of France and the neighboring territories of Flanders. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Flandre region, a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between the French and Flemish worlds. The name likely evolved as a descriptive term for people living near specific geographical features or those who worked in local agricultural roles common to the fertile plains of the north. During this period, families in this area often moved between small towns and cities to support the growing textile industries. As the family settled into these communities, they became part of the complex social fabric of the seventeenth century, living through a time of shifting borders and evolving regional identities. Their presence in the archives from this era highlights a long-standing connection to the land and the local economy of northern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“De sa. au chev. d'or, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'azur et acc. en chef de deux têtes de lion affr. d'or et en p. d'une tête de léopard du même, bouclée d'azur [V. Muller de la Faille.]”
NetherlandsDelft, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Faile arms are recorded
The Faile arms were recorded in Delft, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Delft
Town
Delft
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Faile Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in France when the Faile arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Faile Family in Netherlands
The history of the Faile family in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the urban development of Delft during the early nineteenth century. By 1815, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents within this historic city, which was then a significant center for trade and craftsmanship. During this period, the Netherlands was transitioning into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands following the Napoleonic era, a time when many families were formalizing their surnames and civil registrations. The Faile name likely emerged from local linguistic roots, potentially linked to the Middle Dutch word "fael," which often described a pale or yellowish color, suggesting that the name may have originally served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor. As Delft evolved from its medieval roots into a modern administrative hub, the Faile family integrated into the local social fabric, contributing to the city's steady growth and industrial identity during the post-Napoleonic reconstruction of the Dutch state.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fagus
Latin term for the beech tree.
This name
FaileA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or forest.
also spelled
Faylle
Fayle
Fay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Nord, Série B (Cour des comptes, aides et finances de Lille)
Derode, Victor, Histoire de Lille et de la Flandre wallonne, 1848
Saint-Léger, Alexandre de, Histoire de Lille des origines à 1789, 1942
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
