Map of France showing where the Ledoux arms are recorded
The Ledoux arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1676.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Ledoux 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Ledoux Family in France
The surname Ledoux originated in France as a descriptive nickname, derived from the French phrase "le doux," which translates to "the sweet" or "the gentle." In medieval times, such names were often given to individuals known for their pleasant temperament or kind personality. By the year 1676, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the Picardie region of northern France. During this period, the name was closely tied to the agricultural and social life of the rural landscape. As families grew and moved, the name spread from these northern provinces to other parts of the country, eventually becoming a recognized part of French heritage. The history of the name reflects the common practice of using personal traits to identify members of a community before modern census records were standardized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Le doux
The sweet or gentle one.
This name
LedouxA descriptive nickname for a person with a mild, pleasant, or gentle temperament.
also spelled
Ledoux Montigny
Ledoux Mont
Ledoux
Ledoo de Monteeny
Ledoux-Montigny
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales de la Somme. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Picardie. 1676
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
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
