A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haïs family of France.
Reg. 0357 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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'arg. au lion de sa., arm. et cour. d'or, acc. de trois molettes du sec.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Haïs Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Haïs arms are recorded
The Haïs arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Haïs 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 Haïs Family in France
The family name Haïs has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, with documented evidence placing family members in the area as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique customs and language, which shaped the lives of families living there. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their specific village or local trade within the rural landscape. Because the region was heavily focused on agriculture and maritime activities, early members of the Haïs family were likely deeply connected to the land or the coastal economy of the Atlantic shore. Over generations, the family became part of the local social fabric, maintaining their presence in parish records that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. These early records serve as the primary link to understanding how the family established their identity in a region known for its strong sense of community and regional pride.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hais
Derived from the Germanic root haig meaning hedge or enclosure.
This name
HaïsA locative surname referring to someone who lived near a fenced area or boundary.
also spelled
Hays
Hayes
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, René, Dictionnaire des noms de famille de Bretagne, 1993
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
