Map of France showing where the Marquis arms are recorded
The Marquis 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 Marquis 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 Marquis Family in France
The surname Marquis originated as a descriptive title that eventually transitioned into a hereditary family name within the social structure of medieval France. In the French language, the term referred to a nobleman who held a march, which was a specific type of border territory that required military defense. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bretagne in 1663, the name had become a fixed identifier for families who were often associated with land management or local administration. During the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne frequently lived in rural parishes where they maintained smallholdings and participated in the local economy. The transition from a professional title to a surname allowed these early ancestors to maintain a distinct identity as they moved through the social changes of the French provinces. This history reflects the broader movement of French society as people began to adopt permanent surnames to distinguish their lineages within their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 trois courroies de sa., posées en bandes, rangées en barre, bouclées d'arg. en haut [Ou: les mêmes armes, augmentées d'une étoile d'arg. en chef à sen. et d'une coquille du même en p. à dextre. C.: une coquille renv. d'arg.]”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Marquis arms are recorded
The Marquis arms were recorded in Genève, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Marquis Family in Switzerland
The family name Marquis has deep roots in the region of Geneva, where records confirm their presence as early as 1745. During this period, Geneva was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Marquis often integrated into the local social fabric through skilled crafts or commerce. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive title or a nickname that eventually became a permanent surname as families settled into specific Swiss cantons. By the mid-18th century, these individuals were part of a society governed by strict civic rules, which required them to maintain clear records of their births, marriages, and deaths within the local parish registers. These early generations contributed to the steady development of the city, living through a time when Geneva was transitioning into a major hub for banking and international diplomacy. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the unique cultural and political identity of the Swiss Republic during the Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
marchis
A borderland or frontier territory.
This name
MarquisA noble title denoting a ruler of a border province.
also spelled
Marquy
Markee
Markis
Related arms
Marcquisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
