A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maeda family of France.
Reg. 6486 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
vairProtection, and the winter fur
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande de vair, le vair rangé dans la direction de la bande en deux tires; au chef du premier, ch. d'une aigle de sa., cour. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un demi-vol aux armes de l'écu (moins le chef). L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et d'azur. D.: GENERE ET VIRTUTE.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Maeda arms are recorded
The Maeda arms were recorded in France, 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 Maeda 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 Maeda Family in France
The history of the Maeda name in the region of Bretagne begins with documented records of family members living there as early as 1725. While the name is often associated with Japanese history, its presence in northwestern France suggests a distinct branch or a separate origin rooted in local Breton culture. During the eighteenth century, families in this area were often tied to the land or specific trades in rural parishes. The name likely evolved through local dialects and regional naming customs that were common in the coastal villages of the time. By settling in Bretagne, these early ancestors became part of a complex social structure that defined life in pre-revolutionary France. Their presence in official records from this period provides a clear starting point for tracing the family line through the generations that followed.
Maeda Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mada
Derived from the Old French word for meadow or pasture land.
This name
MaedaRefers to a person who lived near or worked on a meadow.
also spelled
Medae
Med
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction seigneuriale
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
