Map of France showing where the Valois arms are recorded
The Valois arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Valois 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 France.
Origin & History of the Valois Family in France
The name Valois is deeply rooted in the history of France, originating from the Latin word *vallem*, which refers to a valley or a low-lying region. While the name is most famous for the royal dynasty that ruled France during the Middle Ages, many families bearing this name emerged from various rural districts across the country. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the Valois family were established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in small, tight-knit agricultural communities where names were frequently tied to the specific geography of their land. These early ancestors likely worked as farmers or local tradespeople, living quiet lives that were distinct from the political turmoil surrounding the famous royal house. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the local records of the region, marking the family as a stable part of the Breton landscape by 1725.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
vallis
Latin term meaning a valley or low-lying land.
This name
ValoisRefers to someone who lived in or originated from a valley region.
also spelled
Valois
Norm
Valois-Norm
Valwah
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
