A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Felps family of France.
Reg. 1644 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 lion de sa., accosté de six croix recr. de gu., rangées en deux pals.”
FranceNew-York, c. 1725
Where the Felps Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Felps arms are recorded
The Felps arms were recorded in New-York, 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 Felps 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 Felps Family in France
The family name Felps traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne. By the year 1725, records indicate that members of the family were well established within this coastal province. The name likely evolved from regional naming customs or local occupations common to the Breton people during the eighteenth century. As families in this area often lived in close-knit rural communities, the Felps name became tied to the specific landscape and social structure of the region. Over time, the family adapted to the changing political and economic conditions of France, eventually seeing some members migrate to new territories in search of better opportunities. This early presence in Bretagne serves as the foundational chapter for the family history, marking the beginning of their documented lineage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Philippos
Ancient Greek term meaning lover of horses.
This name
FelpsA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Philip, signifying son of Philip.
also spelled
Phelp
Phelpes
Phelpps
Felps
Phelips
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
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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
