A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greeves family of France.
Reg. 3497 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à l'aigle d'or, cour. du même. C.: l'aigle, iss. D.: AQUILA NON CAPTAT MUSCAS.”
FranceGrand, c. 1725
Where the Greeves Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Greeves arms are recorded
The Greeves arms were recorded in Grand, 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 Greeves 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 Greeves Family in France
The family name Greeves carries a rich history that traces back to the distinct cultural landscape of Bretagne in the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this region of northwestern France, a place known for its unique Celtic roots and strong maritime traditions. The name itself likely evolved from occupational or descriptive origins, reflecting the lives of ancestors who worked closely with the land or held specific roles within their local communities. As these early family members navigated the social and economic shifts of the 1700s, they helped shape the identity of the name through their daily labor and regional connections. Over time, the family name traveled beyond the borders of Bretagne, carrying the legacy of its French origins into new territories and across different generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
greve
Old French term for a sandy beach or river bank.
This name
GreevesA topographic name for someone who lived near a sandy shore or riverbank.
also spelled
Greeves
Greevs
Grave
Graves
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Archives de la justice seigneuriale)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Documents notariés)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
