Map of France showing where the Monteil arms are recorded
The Monteil arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to arms.
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 Monteil 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Monteil Family in France
The surname Monteil is a topographic name that originated in the rugged landscapes of southern France. It derives from the Old Occitan word montel, which refers to a small hill or a fortified mound. Families who took this name often lived near these distinct geographical features or on land surrounding a small castle. By 1663, records confirm that the Monteil family was firmly established in the Auvergne region. During this period, the family was likely involved in the agricultural life of the volcanic highlands, where they managed local estates or worked as skilled tradespeople. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of rural French villages, passing their name down through generations as a marker of their connection to the specific hills and valleys of their ancestral home.
Monteil Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Montem
Latin term referring to a mountain, hill, or elevated piece of land.
This name
MonteilA topographic surname for someone who lived on or near a small hill or mountain.
also spelled
Montel
Montay
Related arms
Montelvariant spelling
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 du Puy-de-Dôme. 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
