A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fénix family of France.
Reg. 1149 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un phénix de sa., ess. d'un brasier de gu.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Fénix Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Fénix arms are recorded
The Fénix arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Fénix 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Fénix Family in France
The family name Fénix traces its roots to the historical region of Franche-Comté, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a rugged borderland situated between the Kingdom of France and the Spanish-controlled territories. Families living in this region often navigated complex shifts in political power and military conflict. The name itself carries a strong symbolic weight, as it is derived from the mythical bird known for rising from its own ashes. This suggests that the early bearers of the name may have been associated with themes of resilience, renewal, or endurance during a time of significant regional instability. By settling in the eastern provinces of France, these early ancestors established a foundation that allowed the name to persist through generations of social and agricultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Phoenix
A mythical bird associated with the sun and eternal rebirth.
This name
FénixA surname derived from the legendary bird, symbolizing immortality, renewal, and resurrection.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de la commune de Besançon, 1663
Boussinard, Jean, Histoire de la Franche-Comté sous la domination espagnole, 1922
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire historique et géographique des communes de la Franche-Comté, 1887
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
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
