A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forrey family of France.
Reg. 7595 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 deux griffons affr. d'or, supp. ensemble une masse du même et soutenus d'une terrasse de sin. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° et 3° un griffon iss. d'or, le premier cont.; 2° la masse, entre un vol de sa. S.: deux chevaux d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Forrey arms are recorded
The Forrey arms were recorded in France, 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 Forrey 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 Forrey Family in France
The family name Forrey finds its early roots in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, France, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1725. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the northwestern coast of France, where surnames often described a person’s occupation, a physical trait, or their specific place of origin. During the early eighteenth century, families in this region were deeply connected to the land and the local maritime economy. Life in Bretagne during this era was defined by a strong sense of community and a distinct cultural identity that remained separate from the rest of France. As the family grew, they participated in the social and agricultural rhythms of the province, contributing to the long history of a region known for its resilient people and ancient traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forêt
A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
This name
ForreyA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in a forest.
also spelled
Forrai
Foray
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Moing, Ronan, Les noms de famille bretons, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
