Map of France showing where the Morreale arms are recorded
The Morreale arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1644.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 Morreale 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 Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Morreale Family in France
The family name Morreale traces its roots back to the historical region of Bourgogne in France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1644. During the seventeenth century, Bourgogne was a prominent center for trade and agriculture, and families living there were often deeply connected to the local land and the regional administration. The name itself likely evolved from a combination of words describing a specific geographic feature or a fortified location, which was a common way to identify families in that era. As the family established itself in this region, they became part of the social fabric of the French countryside, living through a time of significant political change and cultural growth. By maintaining their presence in Bourgogne, the early members of the Morreale line helped shape the local community and contributed to the long-standing history of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mons Regalis
Latin for royal mountain or kingly mountain.
This name
MorrealeDerived from a topographic location referring to a royal mountain or a mountain belonging to a king.
also spelled
Moreall
Moreale
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Garnier, Joseph, Chartes de communes et d'affranchissements en Bourgogne, 1867
Petit, Ernest, Histoire des ducs de Bourgogne de la race capétienne, 1885
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
