A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heyl family of France.
Reg. 1563 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une clé d'or, posée en bande, l'anneau en forme de losange, le panneton en haut à dextre, acc. de deux fleurs-de-lis d'arg., 1 au canton sen. du chef et 1 au canton dextre de la p. Cq. cour. C.: un dragon ailé iss. de sin., rehaussé d'or, posé de profil, vomissant des flammes de gu., le dos longé d'une crête du même, les ongles et les crocs des ailes aussi de gu.”
FranceGrand, c. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Heyl arms are recorded
The Heyl 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 Heyl 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 Heyl Family in France
The surname Heyl carries a rich history that likely finds its roots in the Germanic linguistic traditions of Western Europe. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by at least 1725. During this era, families with this name were often associated with skilled craftsmanship or agricultural management within their local parishes. As the family settled into the unique cultural landscape of Bretagne, they navigated the complex social structures of the period, often serving as vital links between rural communities and the growing administrative centers of the province. Their presence in this coastal region suggests a history of resilience and adaptation, as they integrated their ancestral identity into the distinct traditions of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heil
Derived from the Germanic word for health, luck, or salvation.
This name
HeylRefers to a person who was considered healthy, prosperous, or fortunate.
also spelled
Heylherrnsheim
Heylvonherrnsheim
Hayl zu Herrnsheim
Heyl
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
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.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
