Map of France showing where the Choi arms are recorded
The Choi arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1811.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify arms.
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.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1804–1814
Reigning in France when the Choi 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Choi Family in France
The family name Choi possesses a rich history that traces back to the mountainous Dauphiné region of southeastern France. By the year 1811, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in this area, living among the rugged landscapes of the Alps. During this period, the family likely participated in the traditional agricultural and pastoral life that defined the local economy. As the region underwent significant social changes following the French Revolution, the Choi family adapted to the evolving legal and administrative systems of the Napoleonic era. Their presence in the historical records of the early nineteenth century highlights a deep connection to the land and the community of Dauphiné, marking them as part of the enduring social fabric of the French countryside.
Choi Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Choisi
Derived from the Old French verb meaning to choose or select.
This name
ChoiA locative or occupational surname referring to someone chosen or a person from a selected place.
also spelled
Choyn
Koin
Shoin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Isère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales de la Drôme, Recensements de population
Blanchard, Anne, Dauphiné et Dauphinois au XIXe siècle, 1985
Bercé, Yves-Marie, Histoire du Dauphiné, 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
