A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fel family of France.
Reg. 1378 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 bâtons noueux armés d'un fer de lance d'arg., posés en bandes.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Fel Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Fel arms are recorded
The Fel 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 Fel 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 Fel Family in France
The family name Fel has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1725. In the French language, the name is often associated with a topographical origin, frequently linked to the word "fel" or "fell," which refers to rocky, high-altitude terrain or mountainous landscapes. During the early eighteenth century, families in this part of France were often deeply connected to the land, working as farmers or local tradespeople in the rural parishes. Life in Bretagne at this time was defined by strong community ties and a distinct regional culture that helped shape the identity of families living in the area. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and economic life of their villages through generations of hard work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felis
Latin term meaning cat or lucky and fortunate.
This name
FelA habitational name for someone living near a cat-shaped landmark or a nickname for a sly person.
also spelled
Lefelle
Felle
Fel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
