A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fane family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4900 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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 trois gantelets d'or, acc. au point du chef d'un martinet du même. Cq. cour. C.: une tête de boeuf d'arg., accornée de sa., le col ch. d'une rose de gu. S.: deux léopards naturels, coll. d'or, la tête de front. D.: NE VILE FANO.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Fane Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Fane arms are recorded
The Fane 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 Fane 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 Fane Family in France
The family name Fane has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1725. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and agricultural landscape of the French countryside. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit communities where they worked the land or engaged in local trades. Because Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique traditions and language, the Fane family likely participated in the regional culture that defined life in western France. As the eighteenth century progressed, these families became part of the broader history of the region, navigating the economic shifts and social changes that defined life under the French monarchy. Their presence in the local parish registers suggests they were stable members of their community who maintained strong ties to their ancestral home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. three dexter gauntlets, backs affrontée or”
WestmorlandWestmorland, c. 1620
Where the Fane Arms Were Recorded
Westmorland
Map of England showing where the Fane arms are recorded
The Fane arms were recorded in Westmorland, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Fane arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westmorland.
Origin & History of the Fane Family in England
The family name Fane has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records placing the family in the northern county of Westmorland by the year 1620. While the name is often associated with the landed gentry of the south, the presence of the Fane family in the north suggests a history of movement and regional influence across England. During the early seventeenth century, families like the Fanes were often involved in local administration and the management of rural estates. This period was a time of significant social change, and the family likely played a role in the agricultural and civic life of their community. By establishing themselves in Westmorland, the Fanes became part of the long tradition of English families who helped shape the local economy and social structure of their home counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fanum
Latin term referring to a sacred place, temple, or shrine.
This name
FaneA topographic name for someone who lived near a temple or sacred site.
also spelled
Fann
Fayne
Fain
Related arms
Hamlynrecorded with Fane, same area
Williamsrecorded with Fane, same area
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
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1998
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1905
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
