Map of France showing where the Pavey arms are recorded
The Pavey arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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 Pavey 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Pavey Family in France
The family name Pavey traces its roots to the historical region of Guyenne in southwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. The name is likely derived from the Old French word pave, which referred to a stone-paved path or a person who worked as a stone layer. During the seventeenth century, Guyenne was a region defined by its agricultural output and its proximity to the Atlantic coast. Families living there often played vital roles in the local economy, whether through trade or the management of land. As the Pavey family lived in this specific part of France, they were part of a society that was transitioning through significant political and social changes under the French monarchy. Their presence in the region suggests a long-standing connection to the local community and the traditional trades that helped build the towns of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa a fesse crenellée ar. betw. three eagles displ. or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Pavey arms are recorded
The Pavey arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Pavey 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Pavey Family in England
The family name Pavey is rooted in the medieval history of England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or an occupational title. In the Middle Ages, the term often referred to a person who worked as a paver, someone responsible for laying stone or gravel surfaces in town streets and courtyards. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 confirm that Pavey families were living in this region, which was then a bustling center for trade and agriculture. These early ancestors were part of a growing class of English families who were beginning to leave behind more consistent written records in parish registers and local tax documents. Their presence in Norfolk suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the local economy and social life of the English countryside during the reign of King James I.
Pavey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Pavo
Latin term for a peacock.
This name
PaveyA nickname for a proud or vain person resembling a peacock.
also spelled
Pavy
Pave
Pavie
Pavee
Related arms
Pavéevariant spelling
Pavyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives Départementales de la Gironde. Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
