Map of France showing where the Rej arms are recorded
The Rej arms were recorded in France, 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 Rej 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 Rej Family in France
The family name Rej carries a long history rooted in the coastal region of Bretagne, France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. During the eighteenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique customs and language. Families like the Rejs were often connected to the local agricultural economy or the maritime trades that defined the Breton coastline. Because the name is short and distinct, it likely evolved from a local nickname or a specific geographic marker used to identify people in small village communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of rural France, navigating the shifts in local governance and the daily challenges of life in a region known for its strong cultural identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rex
Latin term meaning king or monarch.
This name
RejA surname derived from a nickname for someone who acted like a king.
also spelled
Rey
Rei
Ray
Related arms
Reyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1988
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axeThe execution of military duty
axeThe execution of military duty
