Map of France showing where the Reeb arms are recorded
The Reeb 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 Reeb 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 Reeb Family in France
The family name Reeb has deep roots that trace back to the historical region of Bretagne in western France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its distinct culture and maritime traditions. The name itself is often linked to linguistic origins in Germanic regions, suggesting that early ancestors may have migrated across borders before settling in the French countryside. Over time, families with this name became integrated into the local social fabric of their communities. They lived through a period of significant change in France as the nation transitioned toward a more centralized government under the reign of King Louis XIV. By maintaining their presence in the region, the early Reeb family members helped shape the local history of their villages and towns through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rabe
A Germanic term referring to the raven bird.
This name
ReebAn occupational or descriptive nickname for someone resembling a raven or a dark-haired individual.
also spelled
Ribeh
Ribee
Rib
Reeb
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Pottier, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1982
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
