A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fossey family of France.
Reg. 2660 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois bes. d'or; au chef du sec., ch. d'un porc de sin.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Fossey Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Fossey arms are recorded
The Fossey arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Fossey 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Fossey Family in France
The family name Fossey originates from the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Normandy. The name is topographical, meaning it was likely derived from the Old French word fosse, which refers to a ditch, a trench, or a defensive earthwork. Families living near these prominent landscape features often adopted the name to identify their place of residence. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Fossey family were well-established in the Norman countryside. During this period, many families in the region were deeply connected to the land through agriculture and local trade. As the population moved and evolved, the name remained tied to its linguistic roots, serving as a lasting reminder of the family’s deep connection to the geography of northern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fosse
A ditch, trench, or moat derived from the Latin word fossa.
This name
FosseyA topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch, trench, or defensive moat.
also spelled
Fosay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
