Map of France showing where the Lehet arms are recorded
The Lehet arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield 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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Lehet 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 Navarre.
Origin & History of the Lehet Family in France
The family name Lehet finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of the western Pyrenees, specifically within the historic Kingdom of Navarre. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Lehet family were established residents in this region, which served as a unique crossroads between French and Basque cultures. During this period, the family likely lived in a society defined by strong local traditions and a complex social structure tied to the land. As inhabitants of Navarre, they existed in a border territory that often shifted between different political influences. This geographic placement suggests that the early Lehet family was deeply integrated into the rural economy of the seventeenth century, likely participating in the agricultural and pastoral life that characterized the foothills of the mountains. Their presence in these official records from 1663 highlights a long-standing connection to the region, marking them as part of the established population that helped shape the local identity of the area during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fesse gu. betw. two rolls of matches sa. kindled ppr”
CambridgeEversden · Cambridge, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Lehet arms are recorded
The Lehet arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Lehet arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Lehet Family in England
The surname Lehet appears in English records during the early seventeenth century, most notably among families residing in the university town of Cambridge by 1620. During this period, Cambridge was a bustling center of trade and intellectual exchange, attracting people from various regions who sought opportunities in the growing urban economy. The presence of the Lehet family in this specific location suggests they were likely part of the emerging middle class, perhaps working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who supported the needs of the university and its scholars. As the family established themselves in the area, they became part of the social fabric of a town defined by its strict religious traditions and academic rigor. Over time, the name persisted through local parish registers, documenting the family’s integration into the daily life of East Anglia as they navigated the significant political and social shifts of the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lait
Derived from the Old French word for milk.
This name
LehetAn occupational surname for a dairy farmer or a seller of milk.
also spelled
Lee
Leat
Leate
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Série E (Dépôt des archives communales et notariales)
Goyhenetche, Manex, Histoire générale du Pays basque, 1991
Lebourleux, André, Les familles du Pays basque sous l'Ancien Régime, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
columnFortitude and constancy
columnFortitude and constancy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
