A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fial family of France.
Reg. 0451 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur semé d'aigles de l'Empire français, d'or (armes de concession); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à la bande d'azur, ch. de trois coquilles du champ, posées dans le sens de la bande (Fialin). S.: deux lions, la tête de chaque lion passée dans un casque timbré d'une couronne ducale, et portant pour cimier un dauphin d'azur. D.: JE SERS.”
Francec. 1863
Where the Fial Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Fial arms are recorded
The Fial arms were recorded in France, c. 1863.
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.
Napoleon III
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon III
1852–1870
Reigning in France when the Fial 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 Fial Family in France
The family name Fial is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Bretagne region of France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1863. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, as many surnames in this coastal area were shaped by the unique blend of Breton and French influences. During the mid-19th century, families in Bretagne were often tied to the land or the maritime industries that defined the economy of the region. As the family established their roots in this rugged and culturally distinct part of the country, they became part of the long history of a population known for its strong sense of community and regional identity. While the name remains relatively rare, its presence in 19th-century administrative records suggests that the Fial family was integrated into the social fabric of their local parish and village life during a time of significant transition in French history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fialus
Derived from the Latin word for a small flask or container.
This name
FialAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of small glass vessels.
also spelled
Fialine
Fial
Fyalan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil, 1863
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Recensement de la population, 1863
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
