Map of France showing where the Marais arms are recorded
The Marais arms were recorded in Rouen, c. 1663.
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 Marais 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 Marais Family in France
The surname Marais is rooted in the French language and translates literally to marsh or swamp. In medieval times, this name was often given as a topographical descriptor to families who lived near wetlands or low-lying, damp terrain. By the mid-17th century, the name was well-established in the Normandy region of France. Records confirm that members of the Marais family were living in the city of Rouen by 1663. During this period, Rouen was a major center for trade and industry, and families with this name were active participants in the urban life of the city. As the name spread, it became a common identifier for people across various social classes in northern France, eventually traveling across the globe as family members migrated to new territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mare
A body of standing water or a marshy area.
This name
MaraisRefers to someone who lived near a marsh, swamp, or wetland area.
also spelled
Maray
Related arms
Bigotrecorded with Marais, same area
Coquet de Gennevillerecorded with Marais, same area
des Pommaresrecorded with Marais, same area
Duvalrecorded with Marais, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Rouen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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