Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à deux bars adossés d'arg.; au chef d'or, ch. de quatre pals d'azur.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Flye family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à deux bars adossés d'arg.; au chef d'or, ch. de quatre pals d'azur.”
The Flye arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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.
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.
The family name Flye finds its historical roots in the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic territory of Flanders. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Flye family were well-established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, Flanders was a region defined by its complex political shifts and its importance as a center for trade and agriculture. Families living in this part of France often navigated the cultural influences of both French and Flemish traditions. The name itself likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their local community or their specific trade within these bustling northern towns. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the unique heritage of the French Flemish borderlands.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Fascé contre-fascé d'or et d'azur de quatre pièces. C.: un ours iss. au nat., entre un vol d'or et d'azur [V. de le Flie.]”
The Flye arms were recorded in Bruges, c. 1679.
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.
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
The family name Flye has deep roots in the historic city of Bruges, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1679. During this period, Bruges was a vital center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Flyes were often integrated into the local urban economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly reflecting the linguistic blend of Dutch and French influences common in the Flanders region. As residents of a prominent merchant city, early family members likely participated in the daily life of the guilds or the bustling markets that defined the city’s character in the late seventeenth century. By settling in such a well-connected hub, the family became part of the enduring social fabric of the Low Countries, leaving a mark that persists in local historical documentation.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Or, on a chev. engr. sa. betw. three pellets, each charged with a martlet of the field, a fleur-de-lis betw. two conies courant respecting each other ar”
The Flye 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.
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.
The family name Flye has deep roots in the northern English city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, the city of York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the family in a central location during a time of significant social change. The name itself is thought to be a topographical surname, which means it likely originated from a description of the land where an early ancestor lived, such as a person residing near a marshy area or a specific meadow. As the family established themselves in York, they became part of the local fabric of the city, participating in the daily life and commerce that defined the region. By settling in such a historically prominent city, the early Flye family members were positioned to witness the shifting political and religious landscapes of seventeenth-century England.
Derived from the Latin word flos meaning a flower or blossom.


