Map of France showing where the Steele arms are recorded
The Steele arms were recorded in France, c. 1301.
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.
Philip IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of France
1285–1314
Reigning in France when the Steele 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 Steele Family in France
The history of the Steele name in France begins in the historic region of Bretagne, where records confirm family members were established as early as 1301. During this period, the name was likely linked to the local administrative and social structures of the duchy, reflecting the movement of people across the English Channel and the close ties between the nobility of Brittany and England. The name itself suggests a connection to the sturdy nature of iron or steel, which may have originally described a person with a strong character or someone who worked as a metal smith. As these early ancestors settled into the Breton landscape, they became part of the regional fabric, living through a time when the duchy maintained a distinct cultural and political identity separate from the rest of the French kingdom. Over the following generations, the family name evolved alongside the shifting borders and languages of the region, marking the beginning of a long lineage that eventually spread far beyond its initial roots in western France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. a bend chequy erm. and sa. betw. two lions' heads erased gu. on a chief az. three billets or”
Irelandc. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Steele arms are recorded
The Steele arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Steele 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Steele Family in Ireland
The Steele family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in England and Scotland, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, many families with similar names moved to Ireland as part of the administrative and military changes occurring under English rule. These early settlers often took on roles in local government, trade, or the legal system, which helped them integrate into the urban life of Dublin. Over time, the family name became a permanent part of the Irish landscape as these individuals settled into their new communities and expanded their influence across the region. By rooting themselves in the capital city during such a transformative era, the Steele family secured a lasting place in the historical narrative of Ireland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. a bend chequy sa. and erm. betw. two lions' heads erased gu. on a chief az. two billets or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Steele arms are recorded
The Steele arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Steele arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Steele Family in Scotland
The surname Steele is a descriptive name that likely originated as a nickname for someone who possessed the strength, resilience, or unwavering character of tempered steel. While the name is found across various regions, its presence in Scotland became firmly established by the mid-eighteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Steele family were living and working in Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and intellectual changes during the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of Scotland’s capital, contributing to the growing professional and merchant classes. As the name spread throughout the Lowlands, it became associated with individuals who were deeply rooted in the local community, reflecting the broader history of Scottish families who transitioned from rural life to the expanding centers of trade and industry.
Steele Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
stael
Old English word for steel or a place of standing.
This name
SteeleAn occupational name for a steel worker or a topographic name for a dweller near a stall.
also spelled
Stelle
Stele
Steel
Stiele
Related arms
Steelsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dom Morice, Mémoires pour servir de preuves à l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Bretagne, 1742
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de la famille de Bretagne, Series E
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
