Map of France showing where the Mali arms are recorded
The Mali arms were recorded in Anjou, c. 1663.
Anjou was rich valley country along the Loire, with a dense scatter of small manors. Its gentry were numerous rather than wealthy, and even a modest holding was enough to justify a shield of one's own.
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 Mali 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 Anjou.
Origin & History of the Mali Family in France
The family name Mali has deep roots in the historical province of Anjou, France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Anjou was a region defined by its fertile river valleys and a strong agricultural economy. Families living in this area often took names that reflected their local identity or their connection to the land. The name Mali likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames common to the Loire Valley during this period. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily life and traditions of the Anjou countryside. By settling in this specific region, the early Mali ancestors helped shape the history of their community long before many of their descendants eventually moved to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Malus
Latin term meaning bad, evil, or wicked.
This name
MaliA topographic name for someone living near an apple tree or a nickname for a person with a difficult temperament.
also spelled
Maulay
Molay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Maine-et-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil (1663)
Port, Célestin, Dictionnaire historique, géographique et biographique de Maine-et-Loire et de l'ancienne province d'Anjou, 1874
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
