Show ContentsMartigny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Martigny

What does the name Martigny mean?

Of all the French names to come from Normandy, Martigny is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Martigny family

The surname Martigny was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family has held a family seat since early times.

By 1204 a branch of the family was firmly established in Fittleton where Elyas de Martigni in Normandy gave five marks to pay tax on his lands in England. A second family of this name originated from the region of Faucigny, in the province of Savoie, then moved to Bourgogne, where they established in the region of Charollais.

Among its members were: Guillaume, a "gruyer" (supervisor of lands and forests) of Charollais in 1358; another Guillaume, a Knight, who was listed in an arms display in 1419; Jean, a Knight of the Order and Lord of la Villeneuve and Rocheprise, who died in 1576; and Jean and Claude, sons of Jean, who were Horsemen in 1593.

This certain family were admitted to the Estates in 1562. The last family originated from the region of Poitou. A member included in this family was: Jean, a Knight of Saint-Lazare, and spouse of Anne de Boigne, and who was a nephew of a Counselor of the Parliament of Bordeaux.

Louis Martineau, born in 1632, son of Jean and Mathurine (née Bonne), travelled to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Madeleine Marcot, born in 1634, daughter of Mathurin and Marie (née Regnaud), at Château-Richer on 9th April 1663. They remained together in Quebec until Louis passed away at Saint-François-de-l'île-d'Orléans on 21st May 1709. 1

Early History of the Martigny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Martigny research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1139 and 1576 are included under the topic Early Martigny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Martigny Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of French surnames; in part, as spelling, and the spelling names was not yet standardized during the early development of the written French language. Later, there was much branching and movement of families, and spellings would change according to region. Variations of the name Martigny include Martigny, Martignie, Martignies, Marrtigny, Marrtignie, Marrtignies, Martigney, Martinerie, Martinière, Martinier, Martini, Martygny, Martygnie, Martygnies, Marttigny, Marttignie, Marttignies, de Martigny, du Martigny and many more.

Early Notables of the Martigny family

More information is included under the topic Early Martigny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Martigny family

Migration from France to New France or Quebec as it was now more popularly called, continued from France until it fell in 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. In 1793, the remaining French in these provinces came under British rule. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Martigny were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Martigny were Antoine Martineau who settled in Quebec in 1758.


Contemporary Notables of the name Martigny (post 1700) +

  • Thierry Martigny, denturologist in Montreal


The Martigny 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: Sub umbra tuarum
Motto Translation: I will rest under a shadow.


  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


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