A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foy family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3706 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 trois étriers triangulaires d'or.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Foy Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Foy arms are recorded
The Foy 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.
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 Foy 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Foy Family in France
The surname Foy carries deep roots in the northern regions of France, particularly within the historic territory of Flanders. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in this area, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Flandre by 1663. The name itself is often linked to the Old French word foi, which translates to faith or loyalty. This suggests that the name may have originally served as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their trustworthiness or their strong religious devotion. During this era, families in Flanders lived through a period of significant political transition as the region shifted between various European powers. Members of the Foy family likely worked as farmers or tradespeople, contributing to the local economy of the borderlands. Their survival and growth in this specific region reflect the broader patterns of migration and family development that shaped northern France during the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur semé d'étoiles d'arg.; à la barre du même, br. sur le tout et ch. de trois tourt. de sa. [Armes du général Foy, sous la Restauration.]”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Foy Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Foy arms are recorded
The Foy arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in France when the Foy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
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.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Foy Family in Belgium
The history of the Foy family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brabant served as a central hub for trade and agriculture within the Austrian Netherlands, providing a stable environment for families to establish deep local connections. The name Foy likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common in the Low Countries, where surnames often reflected a person’s occupation, a specific location, or a notable personal trait. As members of the family settled into the local community, they participated in the daily life of the province, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the area. By remaining in the region throughout the turbulent shifts of the late eighteenth century, the Foy family became a part of the enduring history of the Belgian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 eight sa. and ar. a crescent gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Foy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Foy arms are recorded
The Foy 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 Foy 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 Foy Family in England
The surname Foy has deep roots in the English landscape, evolving from old linguistic traditions that often described a person’s character or their place of origin. By the early seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Foy family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this era, families like the Foys were often tied to the local trade guilds or the agricultural development of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. As the family grew, they became part of the steady migration patterns that defined English life, moving through the bustling markets and parish communities of the north. Their presence in York during this period highlights a long history of settlement that helped shape the identity of the name within the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fides
Latin term representing trust, faith, and reliability.
This name
FoyDerived from the Old French word for faith, often used as a nickname for a pious person.
also spelled
Foye
Foie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Nord, Série G: Clergé séculier, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
