Map of France showing where the Filali arms are recorded
The Filali arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Filali 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Filali Family in France
The name Filali carries a deep history that connects North African origins to the rugged landscape of southeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of this family were already established in the Dauphiné region, a mountainous area known for its distinct local traditions and strategic importance. During this period, the name served as a geographic identifier, likely tracing back to the Tafilalt region of Morocco. As these individuals settled into French society, they integrated into the local social fabric while maintaining the unique cultural identity signaled by their surname. Their presence in the seventeenth century suggests a history of migration and adaptation, showing how families from distant lands became part of the diverse demographic tapestry of provincial France long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Paly of six or and gu. a chief erm”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Filali arms are recorded
The Filali 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 Filali 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 Filali Family in England
The Filali family name carries a history that stretches far beyond the borders of England, yet its presence in the city of York by 1620 suggests a fascinating journey of migration and integration. The name itself is an Arabic nisba, meaning "from Tafilalt," which is a historic region in modern-day Morocco known for its role as a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade. When members of this family arrived in Northern England during the early seventeenth century, they likely stood out as individuals with deep connections to the Mediterranean and North African worlds. Settling in a bustling trade hub like York, these early residents would have navigated a society defined by the religious and political shifts of the Stuart era. While the name originated in the Maghreb, its appearance in English parish records from this period highlights the movement of people across vast distances long before the modern age. By maintaining their ancestral identity while adapting to life in a northern English city, the early Filali family members contributed to the diverse cultural tapestry of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fez
Refers to the city of Fez in Morocco.
This name
FilaliAn inhabitant or person originating from the city of Fez.
also spelled
Filliot
Fylliol
Fillioll
Fiyol
Filyoll
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Isère, Registres paroissiaux de l'état civil, 1663
Benoît, Aimé, Histoire de la province de Dauphiné, 1875
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
