Map of France showing where the Millis arms are recorded
The Millis arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Millis 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Millis Family in France
The family name Millis carries a rich history that traces back to the southern regions of France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Provence region by 1663. During this period, the name was likely associated with the landscape and the common trades of the time, as many surnames in this area were derived from local geography or the occupations of ancestors. Families living in Provence during the seventeenth century often navigated the complex social changes of the French monarchy while maintaining deep ties to their local communities. By settling in this vibrant Mediterranean region, the early Millis family became part of a long tradition of regional craftsmanship and agricultural life that defined the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aemilius
Latin name meaning rival or industrious.
This name
MillisA locative or patronymic surname derived from the Roman family name Aemilius.
also spelled
Myollis
Miolis
Miolliss
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux de Provence, 1663
Boyer, Ferdinand, La vie quotidienne en Provence au XVIIe siècle, 1968
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
