A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fau family of France.
Reg. 5879 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un écusson d'azur en abîme, ch. d'un lion d'or et acc. de trois grappes de raisins de pourpre, pamprées de sin.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'un croiss. d'or entre deux annelets du même.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Fau Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Fau arms are recorded
The Fau arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Fau 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 Fau Family in France
The family name Fau has deep roots in the French language, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a beech tree, as the word "fau" is an old term derived from the Latin "fagus." By the time the family was documented in Paris in 1663, the name was already well-established within the social fabric of the city. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of the capital, working in various trades and professions that supported the growing metropolis. Because the name is short and distinct, it was easily recorded in parish registers and tax documents of the era. These early records suggest that the Fau family was part of the common citizenry that helped shape the daily operations and cultural identity of Paris during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fagus
Latin term for the beech tree.
This name
FauA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or forest.
also spelled
Faux
Faud
Fauv
Fo
Faw
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series ET/XVII
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
