Show ContentsValonde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Valonde family

The surname Valonde was first found in Valognes on the Cotentin peninsula. While the name remains a strong French name even to today, some of the family migrated to England as we shall soon discover.

"Peter de Valognes or Vallonis received from the Conqueror fifty-seven lordships in the counties of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertford, Cambridge, and Lincoln, and built his castle at Orford in Suffolk. He was Viscount of Essex 1087; and with his wife Albreda, the daughter of Hubert de Rie, founded Binham Priory in Norfolk 'for the welfare of the souls of William the Conqueror and Maud his Queen, and for the good estate of Henry I.' " 1

"Philip de Valoniis, the fifth son, also came into Scotland, towards the end of the reign of Malcolm IV. He was a constant attendant on William the Lion, and was one of the hostages for his liberation. In recompence, the King made him a grant of the manors of Panmure and Benvie, and appointed him High Chamberlain of Scotland about 1180. He witnessed the agreement betwixt King William I. and King John in 1209; was continued Chamberlain by Alexander II. on his accession, 1214: and dying on the 5th of November 1215, was interred with great solemnity in the chapter-house of Melrose." 2

Early History of the Valonde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Valonde research. Another 275 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1282, 1376, 1394, 1435, 1575, 1585, 1590, 1616, 1623, 1630, 1652, 1659, 1688, 1710, 1719, 1724, 1767, 1812 and 1904 are included under the topic Early Valonde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Valonde Spelling Variations

History has changed the spelling of most surnames. During the early development of the French language in the Middle Ages, a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there spelling variations of the name Valonde, some of which include Valon, Valons, Valone, Valones, Vallon, Vallons, Vallone, Vallones, Valonne, Valonnes, Vallonne, Vallonnes, Valont, Valonts, Valond, Valonds, Valonde, Valondes, Walon, Walons, Wallon, Wallons, de Valon and many more.

Early Notables of the Valonde family

Notable amongst the family in this period was Jacques-Louis, Marquis of Mimeure, Field Marshal, member of the French Academy; and Jacques Louis Valon, Marquis de Mimeure (1659-1719), a French...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Valonde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Valonde family

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Valonde has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Valonde were Louis Vallon settled in Philadelphia in 1804; Antoine Vallone settled in Philadelphia in 1880.



The Valonde Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malo mori quam foedari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


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