Map of France showing where the Mayes arms are recorded
The Mayes 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 Mayes 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 Mayes Family in France
The family name Mayes has deep roots that connect to the region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established within this coastal area. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, as many surnames from this period were derived from geographic landmarks, occupations, or descriptive nicknames used to identify individuals in small communities. As families moved across borders and settled in new regions, the spelling of the name often shifted to match the phonetic patterns of different languages. This transformation shows how the family name adapted to its surroundings while maintaining a link to its ancestral origins in the French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
Gift of God derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu.
This name
MayesA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Matthew.
also spelled
Mayse
Maies
Mays
Mayez
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
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
