A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Faille family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0059 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or et acc. de trois oiseaux de sa., soutenus chacun d'une boule d'or.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Faille Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Faille arms are recorded
The Faille 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 Faille 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 Faille Family in France
The family name Faille finds its historical roots in the northern regions of France and the neighboring territories of Flanders. During the seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the cultural landscape of Flandre, a region defined by its complex history of shifting borders between the French Crown and the Spanish Netherlands. The name itself is thought to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word *faille*, which referred to a specific type of land formation or a gap in the terrain. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were active participants in the local society of this region, navigating the economic and social changes brought about by the ongoing conflicts and administrative transitions of the era. As the family moved through these changing political landscapes, they remained tied to the agricultural and mercantile traditions that characterized the northern French provinces during the early modern period.
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
Where the Faille Arms Were Recorded
Delft
Map of Netherlands showing where the Faille arms are recorded
The Faille 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 Faille 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 Faille 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 Faille Family in Netherlands
The family name Faille has deep roots in the Netherlands, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in the city of Delft by 1815. During this period, Delft was a center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Failles often integrated into the local urban economy. The name itself is thought to have originated from older linguistic roots related to the landscape or specific occupations common in the Low Countries. As the family established themselves in Delft, they became part of the growing administrative and social fabric of the region during the transition into the modern Dutch state. By studying local civil registers from the early nineteenth century, researchers can trace how the family adapted to the changing political landscape of the Netherlands while maintaining their presence in one of the country's most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fallere
Latin verb meaning to deceive, fail, or be mistaken.
This name
FailleA topographic name for someone living near a gap, fault, or break in the landscape.
also spelled
Faylle
Fayle
Fay
Related arms
Anthoinesimilar arms
Billard de St.-Laumersimilar arms
Bouldnesimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Nord, Série B: Cours et juridictions
De Smet, Joseph-Jean, Histoire de la Belgique, 1864
Pirenne, Henri, Histoire de Belgique, 1902
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
