Map of France showing where the Maltese arms are recorded
The Maltese arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Maltese 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 Maltese Family in France
The surname Maltese serves as a geographic indicator, traditionally identifying families who originated from the island of Malta. While the name is most common in Mediterranean regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne, France, by the year 1663. During the seventeenth century, individuals often moved across Europe to pursue trade, military service, or religious work. The presence of the Maltese family in Bretagne suggests that these ancestors likely migrated northward from the Mediterranean coast to integrate into the local French society. Over time, the name evolved from a simple descriptor of one’s place of birth into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader historical pattern of families adopting surnames based on their ancestral homelands as they settled in new regions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Melita
Ancient Latin name for the island of Malta.
This name
MalteseAn inhabitant or someone originating from the island of Malta.
also spelled
Malteste
Maletesta
Maltesta
Maletest
Maltest
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
