A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fain family of France.
Reg. 6146 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la fasce vairée de sa. et d'or; à une plume d'or, barbelée d'arg., posée en barre, br. sur le tout.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Fain Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Fain arms are recorded
The Fain 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 Fain 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 Fain Family in France
The family name Fain has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1725. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word "fain" is historically linked to the Old French term "fain," which could refer to someone who was clever, cunning, or perhaps someone who worked in the fields. During the early 18th century, families in Bretagne were often tied closely to the land and local parish communities. Because the region was known for its distinct cultural identity and strong maritime connections, the Fain family likely lived as farmers or tradespeople within these tight-knit rural societies. Over time, as families moved from small villages to larger towns, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestral connection to the rugged landscape of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fain
Derived from the Old French adjective meaning glad, joyful, or pleased.
This name
FainA nickname for a cheerful, happy, or willing person.
also spelled
Fayn
Fan
Related arms
Faynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
