A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foz family of France.
Reg. 1945 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 au chev. d'arg., ch. d'une croix recr. au pied fiché de sa., et acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or et en p. d'une rose du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1611
Where the Foz Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Foz arms are recorded
The Foz arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1611.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in France when the Foz 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Foz Family in France
The family name Foz has roots that trace back to the historical region of Lorraine in northeastern France. By 1611, records confirm that members of the family were established within this territory, which served as a cultural crossroads between the French and German-speaking worlds. During the seventeenth century, Lorraine was a place of significant political transition and religious change, often forcing families to adapt to shifting borders and new administrative authorities. The name likely evolved as a localized identifier for people living in specific rural areas or near distinct geographical features within the duchy. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Lorraine, contributing to the agricultural and social life of the region during a period of intense European development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fossa
A ditch, trench, or pit in the ground.
This name
FozA topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch or defensive trench.
also spelled
Fausse
Fouse
Faus
Foz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bastien, Pierre. Le Duché de Lorraine au XVIIe siècle. 1978
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle. Série B: Cours et juridictions. 1611
Cabourdin, Guy. La vie quotidienne en Lorraine au XVIIe siècle. 1984
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
