Map of France showing where the Pray arms are recorded
The Pray arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Pray 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Pray Family in France
The family name Pray traces its roots back to the historic Lyonnais region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. The name itself is thought to be a topographic surname, which was a common way to identify people during the Middle Ages. It likely described individuals who lived near a specific meadow or a piece of land used for grazing, as the word "pré" is the French term for a meadow. As families moved through the French countryside, these place-based names became permanent identifiers that were passed down through generations. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Pray family was well-integrated into the local community life of Lyonnais, reflecting the broader patterns of settlement and naming traditions found throughout the region during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pratum
Latin term referring to a meadow or pasture land.
This name
PrayA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked on a meadow.
also spelled
Pray
Prayes
Prayet
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 Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province du Lyonnais
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
