A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vesey family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7062 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la croix de sa., ch. d'une croix de Lorraine du champ. C.: un avant-bras, arm. au nat., la main de carn. tenant un rameau de laurier de sin. T.: deux sauvages de carn., ceints et cour. de lierre, arm. de massues, posées sur leur épaule. D.: SUB HOC SIGNO VINCES.”
Francec. 1698
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Map of France showing where the Vesey arms are recorded
The Vesey arms were recorded in France, c. 1698.
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 Vesey 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 Vesey Family in France
The history of the Vesey family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Brittany region. By the year 1698, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this coastal province. During this period, Brittany functioned as a distinct cultural area with its own traditions and social structures. Families like the Veseys often lived as part of the local landed gentry or professional classes, navigating the complex political shifts of the French monarchy. Their presence in the region suggests a long-standing connection to the local economy and the specific administrative life of the Breton parishes. As the family moved through the late seventeenth century, they remained integrated into the fabric of provincial French society, maintaining their status through local land management and community ties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, on a cross sa. a patriarchal cross of the field”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Vesey arms are recorded
The Vesey 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 Vesey 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 Vesey Family in Ireland
The Vesey family name in Ireland is primarily linked to the arrival of English settlers during the seventeenth century. While the name has older roots in Normandy and England, the Irish branch became firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, members of the family integrated into the administrative and religious life of the city. They often held positions within the Church of Ireland, which helped them secure land and influence in the region. As the family grew, they expanded their presence beyond Dublin into counties like Kildare and Leix. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from military or administrative roles to becoming prominent landowners in the Irish landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vassy
A place name derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Vaccius.
This name
VeseyAn anglicized form of a locative surname originating from the commune of Vassy in Calvados, France.
also spelled
Vesay
Vesie
Vesee
Veezee
Vezey
Related arms
Veseivariant spelling
Vescivariant spelling
Vescyvariant spelling
Vezeyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1970
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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