A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fénis family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3623 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
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 un phénix d'or, sur son immortalité de gu., fixant un soleil du sec., posé dans l'angle dextre du chef.”
FranceFénice, c. 1725
Where the Fénis Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Fénis arms are recorded
The Fénis arms were recorded in Fénice, 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 Fénis 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 Fénis Family in France
The family name Fénis traces its roots to the historical landscape of France, where records confirm the presence of family members in the region of Bretagne by 1725. During this era, the name likely emerged from local linguistic traditions, as many surnames in western France were derived from descriptions of a person's trade, physical traits, or the specific geography of their home. Life in eighteenth-century Bretagne was defined by a strong connection to the land and a distinct regional identity that remained separate from the central authority in Paris. As the family established their roots in this coastal province, they became part of the complex social fabric of rural France, navigating the agricultural cycles and local customs that shaped the lives of common citizens before the French Revolution. By documenting their presence in parish registers and local administrative papers, the Fénis family contributed to the long-standing history of a region known for its resilience and deep-rooted cultural heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 lions ramp. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fénis Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fénis arms are recorded
The Fénis arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Fénis 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 England.
Origin & History of the Fénis Family in England
The Fénis family name appears in the historical record of northern England during the early seventeenth century, specifically within the city of York. By 1620, members of the family were established residents in this region, which was a major center for trade and religious administration at the time. The name itself suggests a connection to the French language, likely originating from the word for hay or a meadow, which points to an ancestral background linked to agriculture or land management. As the family integrated into the social fabric of York, they lived through a period of significant political and religious change in England. Their presence in such a prominent urban hub indicates that they were part of the growing middle class that helped sustain the local economy and civic life of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Finis
Latin term meaning end, boundary, or limit.
This name
FénisRefers to a person living near a boundary, border, or edge of a territory.
also spelled
Fenes
Fenys
Feny
Related arms
Rausimilar arms
Fenesvariant spelling
Fenyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Gautier, Alain, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2010
Le Goff, Hervé, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
