A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rieff family of France.
Reg. 0220 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion naiss. de gu., mouv. du coupé; au 2 d'azur à trois étoiles (8) d'arg. A la fasce de sa., br. sur le coupé. Cq. cour. C.: un vol d'or, chaque aile ch. du lion naiss. de gu., celui à dextre cont. L.: de gu. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Rieff arms are recorded
The Rieff arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Rieff 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 Rieff Family in France
The family name Rieff has deep roots that connect to the complex history of the Brittany region in France. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this coastal area. During the seventeenth century, Brittany was a province with its own unique customs and a strong maritime culture. Families living there often worked in agriculture or trade, benefiting from the region's active ports and fertile land. As the name Rieff moved through generations, it became part of the local social fabric, reflecting the lives of people who lived through the transition from the feudal era to the more centralized French state. The presence of the family in Brittany during this time suggests they were part of a stable community that helped shape the identity of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rif
Old High German term referring to a strip of land or edge.
This name
RieffA topographic name for someone who lived near a ridge, border, or strip of land.
also spelled
Rief
Riefe
Ryff
Reef
Related arms
Ryffvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Croix, Alain, La Bretagne aux 16e et 17e siècles: La vie, la mort, la foi, 1984
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
