Map of France showing where the Heil arms are recorded
The Heil arms were recorded in France, 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 Heil 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 Heil Family in France
The surname Heil carries a rich history that likely stems from Germanic roots, where the term was often used as a greeting or a wish for good health and prosperity. While the name is strongly associated with regions in modern-day Germany, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne, France, by 1725. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local community through trade or agriculture, as was common for families settling in the coastal and rural landscapes of northwestern France. The presence of the Heil name in Bretagne suggests a migration pattern where individuals moved across borders for economic opportunities or personal reasons during the early eighteenth century. Over time, the family adapted to the local culture while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their original name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heil
Derived from the Middle High German word for health or salvation.
This name
HeilA topographic or habitational name referring to someone who lived near a place of healing or health.
also spelled
Heillye
Heylly
Heillys
Haylee
Haily
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
