Map of France showing where the Moats arms are recorded
The Moats arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1663.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 Moats 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Moats Family in France
The family name Moats traces its roots back to the historical region of Lorraine, which is located in modern-day northeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established within this area. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, as the region was a crossroads for various Germanic and Romance languages. During the seventeenth century, Lorraine was a territory marked by significant political shifts and social change due to the ongoing conflicts of the era. Families living there often worked in agriculture or skilled trades, contributing to the local economy of the duchy. As time passed, the name traveled with family members who sought new opportunities, eventually spreading beyond the borders of Lorraine to other parts of Europe and across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Motte
A mound or earthwork fortification.
This name
MoatsDerived from a topographic feature referring to someone who lived near a castle mound.
also spelled
Moate
Moats
Moatt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Cabourdin, Guy, Histoire de la Lorraine, 1991
Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
