Map of France showing where the Straney arms are recorded
The Straney 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 Straney 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 Straney Family in France
The history of the Straney name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and distinct cultural identity of the Bretagne region. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this northwestern province, a time when the area was known for its strong maritime traditions and independent spirit. The name likely evolved from local linguistic roots common to the Breton people, who maintained a unique heritage separate from the rest of the French kingdom. During the early eighteenth century, families in this region often lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked the land or engaged in coastal trade. Living in Bretagne meant that the Straney ancestors were part of a society that valued oral tradition and regional customs, which helped preserve their family identity across generations. This early presence in the province suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local social fabric long before the major political shifts that would later reshape France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. two lions pass. ar. a bend erm. (sometimes or)”
GloucesterCirencester · Gloucester, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Straney arms are recorded
The Straney arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Straney arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Straney Family in England
The Straney family name carries a history rooted in the landscape of seventeenth-century England. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Gloucester. During this period, Gloucester served as a bustling center for trade and river transport, situated along the banks of the River Severn. Families living in this region often worked in specialized crafts or local commerce, as the city was a vital hub for the wool and cloth industries that defined the English economy at the time. The presence of the Straney name in such a significant urban center suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the social and economic life of a growing provincial town. As the family navigated the challenges of the early modern era, they contributed to the local fabric of the Gloucestershire community, leaving behind a legacy that began long before the mass migrations of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Estran
Derived from the Old French word for a stranger or foreigner.
This name
StraneyA topographical or status-based surname denoting someone who originated from a different region.
also spelled
Strang
Strangge
Strangue
Straynj
Strong
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Courts and judicial records of the Ancien Régime)
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 2005
Le Moing, Jean-Yves, Les noms de lieux de Bretagne, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
