Map of France showing where the le May arms are recorded
The le May arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 le May 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the le May Family in France
The family name Le May has deep roots in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1663. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or descriptive surname, likely originating from the Old French word "mai," which refers to the month of May. In medieval times, such names were often given to people who were born in that month or who were associated with spring festivals and seasonal traditions. Because Franche-Comté was a border region with a complex history involving both French and Burgundian influences, families living there often maintained strong ties to their local land and community traditions. By the mid-17th century, the Le May name was already well-integrated into the social fabric of the area, reflecting a long history of agricultural life and village settlement in the foothills of the Jura Mountains.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
magis
Latin term meaning greater or more.
This name
le MayA topographic name for someone living near a prominent or larger landmark.
also spelled
Lemai
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavoux, Francis. La vie quotidienne en Franche-Comté au XVIIe siècle. 1966
Archives départementales du Doubs. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
