Map of France showing where the Asay arms are recorded
The Asay arms were recorded in Poitou, c. 1663.
Poitou was western French farming country, divided among a large number of small landed families. Its gentry were numerous and modest, and even a small estate was enough to justify a shield.
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 Asay 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 Poitou.
Origin & History of the Asay Family in France
The family name Asay traces its roots to the historic province of Poitou in western France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, which was known for its rolling landscapes and deep agricultural traditions. During the seventeenth century, many families in Poitou lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Life in this part of France was shaped by the local customs and the influence of the regional nobility. As the family grew, some members eventually sought new opportunities beyond the borders of Poitou. Their migration patterns reflect the broader movement of French families during this era, as they carried their heritage and traditions into new territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Assis
Derived from the Latin word for seated or settled.
This name
AsayRefers to a person who lived in a settled location or on a specific estate.
also spelled
Asay
Ase
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Vienne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Poitiers
Beauchet-Filleau, Henri, Dictionnaire historique et généalogique des familles du Poitou, 1891
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
