Map of France showing where the Lakes arms are recorded
The Lakes arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Lakes 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 Lakes Family in France
The surname Lakes is a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a specific physical landmark, such as a lake or a body of water. By the mid-17th century, members of the family were established in the city of Toulouse, France. During this period, Toulouse was a major center for trade and legal administration in the Languedoc region. Families living in this area often held positions in local guilds or served as merchants who helped manage the city’s growing economy. Because the name is rooted in the geography of the landscape, it suggests that the earliest ancestors likely settled in areas where water sources were central to their daily lives and agricultural work. As these families moved through different regions, the name evolved to reflect the linguistic patterns of the local populations they encountered.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lacus
Latin word meaning a lake, pool, or basin of water.
This name
LakesA topographic surname for someone who lived near a lake or body of water.
also spelled
Lagez
Laggis
Lagesse
Lahzh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne. Registres paroissiaux et état civil de Toulouse. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
