Map of France showing where the Leggett arms are recorded
The Leggett arms were recorded in New-York, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Leggett 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 Leggett Family in France
The surname Leggett is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "legat," which referred to a person who acted as a messenger or an official representative. By the early 18th century, members of the family were firmly established in the region of Bretagne in France. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who held administrative roles or served as intermediaries between local communities and the governing authorities. As these families moved through the provinces, the spelling of the name evolved to reflect local dialects and regional record-keeping practices. This transition from a professional title to a hereditary surname highlights the way social roles and occupations shaped the identities of families living in rural France during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
legatus
A person sent as an official representative or ambassador.
This name
LeggettAn occupational name for a messenger, envoy, or a deputy representing a lord.
also spelled
Legget
Lejet
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Bretagne. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
