Map of France showing where the Hew arms are recorded
The Hew arms were recorded in France, c. 1687.
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 Hew 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 Hew Family in France
The family name Hew has roots that stretch back to the late seventeenth century in the Brittany region of France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1687, a time when the region was deeply influenced by its unique Celtic heritage and its connection to the French crown. The name likely evolved from regional naming customs where personal names were adapted into family identifiers as populations grew and moved. Because Brittany served as a major maritime hub, families in this area were often connected to trade, agriculture, or coastal industries that defined the local economy. Over time, the name persisted through generations as families established their presence in local parishes and contributed to the social fabric of their communities. This early history reflects the broader movement of families across the French landscape during a period of significant social and political change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugo
A Germanic name derived from the word for mind or intellect.
This name
HewA French surname originating as a diminutive form of the name Hugh.
also spelled
Hues
Huee
Hu
Hew
Hugh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Gautier, Alain, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2010
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
