A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Shee family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6044 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché-dentelé d'azur sur or; à deux fleurs-de-lis de l'un à l'autre [V. Alton-Shee et Archer-Shee.]”
Francec. 1663
Where the Shee Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Shee arms are recorded
The Shee 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 Shee 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 Shee Family in France
The history of the Shee family in France begins with their arrival in the region of Brittany during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in this coastal province, likely seeking new opportunities or fleeing political instability in their lands of origin. The name itself reflects a transition into the French social structure, where the family integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct identity. Over time, they became recognized figures within the administrative and social circles of Brittany. This period of settlement marked the beginning of a long-standing connection to French soil, as the family adapted to the customs and language of their new home. Their presence in the region highlights the broader movement of families across borders during the early modern era, as they worked to build a lasting legacy within the French landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per bend indented or and az. two fleurs-de-lis counterchanged”
TipperaryCloran · Tipperary, c. 1582
Where the Shee Arms Were Recorded
Tipperary
Map of Ireland showing where the Shee arms are recorded
The Shee arms were recorded in Tipperary, c. 1582.
Tipperary was the best grazing land in Ireland, held by a small number of powerful families. Land of that value stayed in the same hands, and unbroken holding is what puts a name in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Shee 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 Tipperary.
Origin & History of the Shee Family in Ireland
The family name Shee has deep roots in the Irish county of Tipperary, where members of the family were well-established by the late sixteenth century. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Séaghdha, which translates to a descendant of a hawk-like or stately person. While the family is most famously associated with the city of Kilkenny, where they rose to great prominence as wealthy merchants and mayors during the Tudor era, their presence in Tipperary reflects the wider movement of influential Gaelic families across the southern provinces. By the year 1582, the Shees had secured a firm social standing, often acting as bridge builders between the traditional Gaelic order and the changing political landscape of the English administration in Ireland. Their history is defined by their ability to adapt to shifting power structures while maintaining their status as landowners and civic leaders in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shea
Derived from the Gaelic word for hawk or majestic bird.
This name
SheeAn anglicized form of a French-origin surname often associated with noble or hawk-like qualities.
also spelled
She
Sheee
Shey
Shea
Related arms
Sheavariant spelling
Staplesrecorded with Shee, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
