Map of France showing where the Rezai arms are recorded
The Rezai arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name in the registers.
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 Rezai 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 Maine.
Origin & History of the Rezai Family in France
The family name Rezai carries a deep history that spans across different cultures and regions. While the name is often associated with Persian roots, where it signifies someone who is pleasing or content, its presence in North America dates back much further than many realize. Records indicate that members of this lineage were established in Maine as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a rugged frontier where settlers relied on fishing, timber, and trade to survive. These early ancestors were likely part of the small, diverse groups of pioneers who navigated the harsh climate and complex political landscape of colonial New England. By settling in Maine during the seventeenth century, the family became part of the foundational fabric of the area, contributing to the development of early coastal communities long before the United States became an independent nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Riza
Arabic term for contentment, satisfaction, or divine approval.
This name
RezaiA surname of Persian origin denoting one who is content, satisfied, or favored by God.
also spelled
Rezai
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Maine State Archives, Province and Court Records of Maine
Pope, Charles Henry, The Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660, 1908
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
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
