Map of France showing where the Poyet arms are recorded
The Poyet arms were recorded in Anjou, c. 1663.
Anjou was rich valley country along the Loire, with a dense scatter of small manors. Its gentry were numerous rather than wealthy, and even a modest holding was enough to justify a shield of one's 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 Poyet 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 Anjou.
Origin & History of the Poyet Family in France
The family name Poyet finds its roots in the historic province of Anjou, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the year 1663. The name is believed to be a topographical surname, which means it likely originated from a person’s proximity to a specific local landmark. In the regional dialects of western France, the term "poy" or "puy" referred to a small hill or an elevated piece of land. Therefore, the name was likely given to ancestors who lived near a prominent mound or a high point in the landscape of the Loire Valley. Over time, this descriptive label became a permanent family identifier as the members of the clan integrated into the agricultural and social life of the Anjou region. By the mid-17th century, the Poyet family had become a recognized part of the local community, contributing to the rural identity and the evolving history of the French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
podium
A Latin term referring to an elevated platform or balcony.
This name
PoyetA topographic name for someone who lived near a small hill or elevated piece of land.
also spelled
Poyette
Poyetz
Poyetet
Poyay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales de Maine-et-Loire. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de l'Anjou. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
columnFortitude and constancy
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
columnFortitude and constancy
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
