Map of France showing where the Phen arms are recorded
The Phen arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Phen 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Phen Family in France
The family name Phen finds its early roots in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was a distinct province with its own unique customs and strong ties to the sea. Families living in Bretagne at this time were often shaped by the local maritime economy and the strict social structures of the French countryside. The name likely emerged from the local linguistic traditions of the area, reflecting the way people identified themselves within their small rural parishes. As these early ancestors navigated life in western France, they contributed to the local community through farming, trade, or craftsmanship. By settling in this coastal region, the family became part of a long history of resilience and cultural independence that defined the people of Bretagne for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. erm. betw. three spearheads ar. a bordure of the last semée of hurts”
LouthThe Cabragh · Louth, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Phen arms are recorded
The Phen arms were recorded in Louth, c. 1645.
Louth is the smallest Irish county but sat on the road north from Dublin. Norman families took it early, held it under arms, and stayed, which is what put their shields on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Phen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Louth.
Origin & History of the Phen Family in Ireland
The family name Phen carries a distinct history rooted in the landscape of County Louth during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in this region, which served as a vital gateway between the northern province of Ulster and the rest of Ireland. During this period, Louth was a place of significant political and social transition, often caught in the middle of the shifting allegiances of the Irish Confederate Wars. Families living in this area had to navigate a landscape defined by both agricultural life and the constant movement of armies. The presence of the Phen name in local records from this time suggests that they were part of the settled community that weathered the instability of the era. Their survival and continued presence in the region reflect the resilience of families who maintained their land and local ties despite the widespread upheaval that defined seventeenth-century Irish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fenn
A marshy or low-lying wetland area.
This name
PhenA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a marsh or fen.
also spelled
Penne
Penn
Pene
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1995
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
