Map of France showing where the Melloy arms are recorded
The Melloy arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Melloy 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Melloy Family in France
The history of the Melloy family in France is deeply rooted in the northern region of Picardie, where records confirm their presence by the year 1663. During the seventeenth century, Picardie served as a vital agricultural and strategic hub, often caught between the shifting borders of the French kingdom and the neighboring territories. Families living in this area during this period were typically tied to the land or involved in the local trade networks that defined the provincial economy. Given the linguistic patterns of the time, the name likely evolved from local dialects used to describe a person’s trade or their specific place of residence within a village. Life in Picardie during the 1660s was shaped by the efforts of King Louis XIV to centralize power, which brought new administrative record-keeping to rural parishes. By appearing in these early documents, the Melloy family demonstrates a long-standing connection to the social fabric of northern France, marking them as part of the established community that navigated the transition into the modern era of French history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. three boars' heads erased in bend ar”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Melloy arms are recorded
The Melloy arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Melloy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Melloy Family in England
The family name Melloy has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion in Northern England, and families like the Melloys were often integrated into the local parish life and the merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved as families moved between rural villages and growing urban hubs. By the early 17th century, the Melloys were part of a society transitioning through significant political and social changes, which likely influenced how they recorded their births, marriages, and deaths in local church registers. These early residents of York helped shape the identity of the name as it transitioned from a regional identifier into a lasting family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Melior
Latin term meaning better or superior.
This name
MelloyA locative or descriptive surname likely denoting someone of higher status or improved standing.
also spelled
Melo
Mellow
Mellou
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Bouchard, Gérard, Quelques arpents d'Amérique: Population et économie du peuplement, 1996
Braudel, Fernand, L'Identité de la France, 1986
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
