Map of France showing where the Maple arms are recorded
The Maple arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Maple 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Maple Family in France
The family name Maple is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Brittany region of France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural traditions of the area, likely originating as a topographical surname. Such names were commonly given to families who lived near a prominent landmark, such as a specific grove of maple trees, which were valued for their wood and sap. As families moved from these rural settlements into growing towns, the name served as a permanent link to their ancestral home and the natural environment they once cultivated. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved as the family expanded, but the name remained a testament to their long-standing connection to the land and the history of the Breton people.
Maple Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Acer
Latin term for the sharp or pointed maple tree.
This name
MapleA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a maple tree.
also spelled
Maupilles
Maupillée
Maupillé de la Tour
Mopeeyay
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 de famille 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.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
