DESCRIPTION
CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE
Champagne, Lorraine.
Kingdom of France
- Marquis de Moigneville, April 1692.
✶ Coat of Arms:
"Of azure, with an engrailed saltire of gold, flanked by a crescent of silver and three bezants of the same."
✶ Heraldic Sources:
General Armorial of Europe, by J.B. Rietstap (Gouda, 1861).
Armorial of Europe by J.B. Rietstap (Gouda, 1884, Berlin, 1934) (Gouda, 1887, Berlin 1937).
General Armorial J.B. Rietstap, illustrated by Victor and Henri Rolland (1903-1926). Colorized by Lionel Sandoz (1993-2002).
The Great Armorial of France, by Jougla de Morénas 1935-1943, de Warren, Frantzen 1960.
Armorial of the Generality of Paris compiled by Charles d’Hozier in execution of the edict of November 1696, by Meurgey de Tupigny, 1965-67.
✶ Etymology of the Surname "CHOISY"
The name "CHOISY" finds its origins in the Latin Causiacum or Sociusacum, respectively designating "the estate of Causius" or "of Socius," likely names of Gallo-Roman landowners. Over time, these terms phonetically evolved into "CHOISY," a widespread surname in France, often linked to place names. This etymology suggests rural antiquity and a connection to distinguished lands, perhaps reflecting their strategic value or beauty.
✶ Toponymy of the Marquisate of MOIGNEVILLE
The marquisate of MOIGNEVILLE, located in Lorraine (historical Champagne), originates from the village of MOGNÉVILLE, in the Meuse.
The name "MOGNÉVILLE" likely derives from the Latin monasterium (monastery) or from a Germanic name such as Monnius, combined with the suffix -ville ("estate" or "village").
This name evokes a medieval foundation, possibly tied to a religious establishment or a fief.
Elevated to a marquisate in January 1635 under Louis XIII, the title was confirmed by Louis XIV in April 1692 (registered with Parliament on April 19), ennobling a land already notable in the Barrois region.
It is said as "MOIGNEVILLE" in a potentially archaic context or according to some retrospective sources, "MONGNÉVILLE" during the time of Thomas de CHOISY (late 17th century) and in historical texts up to the 19th century, and "MOGNÉVILLE" from the 19th century to the present day. This evolution illustrates linguistic fluctuations and the standardization of place names in France.
✶ Coat of Arms and Symbolism
The coat of arms of the CHOISY family is described as: "Of azure, with an engrailed saltire of gold, flanked by a crescent of silver and three bezants of the same."
* The azure symbolizes loyalty and nobility, core values of this lineage in service to the monarchy.
* The engrailed saltire of gold represents courage and military distinction, with its notched edges evoking sturdy defense.
* The silver crescent refers to the Crusades or divine protection, a common motif in noble families.
* The three silver bezants signify wealth, prestige, and sometimes rewarded feats of arms.
These emblems reflect the family’s social and military ascent, rooted in a tradition of honor and service.
✶ Origin and History of the CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE Family
The CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE family belongs to the French nobility of the Ancien Régime, blending origins of the robe and the sword. Hailing from Lorraine, it rose in the 17th century through shrewd alliances and military exploits under Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Its history unfolds amid France’s wars of expansion, notably in the Spanish Netherlands and along the Rhine, where its members distinguished themselves through expertise in fortifications and loyalty to the Crown.
✶ Notable Figure: Thomas de CHOISY, Marquis de MOIGNEVILLE (1632-1710)
Thomas de CHOISY is the emblematic figure of this lineage.
Born in 1632 into a noble Lorraine family, he built a reputation as a military engineer and strategist under Louis XIV. A collaborator of Vauban, he excelled in fortification and the defense of strongholds. Here are the key stages of his career:
1668: Engineer at Charleroi under the Marquis de Louvois, beginning a promising career.
1673: Participated in the Battle of Maastricht under Marshal de Turenne, showcasing his strategic talents.
1675: Contributed to the capture of Limburg, solidifying his renown.
December 12, 1678: Appointed governor of Sarrelouis, a post confirmed by Louis XIV on December 12, 1679, for his fortification expertise.
1680: Oversaw new fortifications at Bouillon alongside Vauban.
1684: Played a key role in the siege of Luxembourg, strengthening French territorial gains.
1689: Promoted to field marshal, he commanded the defense of Mainz against enemy assaults.
April 1692: His land of MOIGNEVILLE was elevated to a marquisate by letters patent from Louis XIV, rewarding his services.
1701: Raised to the rank of lieutenant general of the king’s armies, an honorary distinction late in his career.
February 26, 1710: Died in Sarrelouis at age 78. His body rests in the family vault in MOGNÉVILLE, his heart in the Saint-Louis church in Sarrelouis, reflecting his attachment to both places.
Thomas de CHOISY, married to Jeanne Brethe de Clermont, then father of Louis Alexandre Thomas (died 1719), embodies the ideal military gentleman. Praised by Vauban in 1673 – "He is of all fortification experts the one I would most trust for his skill and valor" – he left a lasting mark on French military engineering.
✶ Heritage and Conclusion
The CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE family embodies the nobility of the sword in service to the state, combining bravery, technical expertise, and prestigious alliances. Thomas de CHOISY, through his military genius and dedication, remains a key figure in this lineage. However, after his son Louis Alexandre, the family declined, and the Château de MOIGNEVILLE disappeared around 1792, a victim of revolutionary upheavals. Their name endures as a symbol of the golden age of French military history, tied to the history of Lorraine and the fortifications of Louis XIV.
✶ The Genealogy of Thomas de CHOISY
- Thomas de CHOISY, a prominent figure of 17th-century French nobility, embodies both military honor and social ascent through merit and alliances. Born in 1632 into a family rooted in tradition, he died on February 26, 1710, in MOGNÉVILLE, in what is now the Meuse department, at the respectable age of 78. His life, rich in achievements and titles, deserves to be traced through his origins, descendants, and legacy.
Thomas de CHOISY was the son of Jean de CHOISY and Jeanne Mathieu. While details about his parents remain brief, his ancestry reveals a well-established lineage. His father, Jean de CHOISY, was himself the son of André de CHOISY and Alix Gier, while further up the family tree, we find Jean de CHOISY (born around 1525) and his wife Opportune Bazannier. This family continuity attests to a notable presence within the circles of the lesser nobility, likely in Champagne or the regions bordering Lorraine.
- Thomas’s coat of arms, described as "azure with a jagged saltire of gold, accompanied by a silver crescent in chief, and three silver bezants, two in fess and one in base," reflects his status and prestige, symbolizing purity (azure), wealth (gold), and generosity (silver).
An Exemplary Military and Administrative Career
- Thomas de CHOISY distinguished himself as an engineer and high-ranking officer under the reign of Louis XIV. As Lieutenant General of the King’s armies, he played an active role in the military campaigns of his time, notably commanding royal forces during the siege of Rhinfeltz. His bravery and skills earned him appointments as governor of the strategic citadels of Cambray (Cambrai), Thionville, and later Sarrelouis—positions reserved for the most competent and loyal figures of the era. These roles testify to the trust placed in him by the Sun King during a period when defending the kingdom’s borders was crucial.
-Alongside his military career, Thomas de CHOISY solidified his social standing through the acquisition of lands and titles. He purchased the lordship of MONGNÉVILLE on November 22, 1687, a transaction confirmed in August 1689. Located 11 kilometers west of Bar-le-Duc, this land, then called MONGNÉVILLE, was elevated to a marquisate by letters patent in April 1692, marking his rise to the rank of Marquis de MONGNÉVILLE. He was also lord of Varney and Rembercourt, possessions that strengthened his influence in the Champagne-Lorraine region.
Thomas de CHOISY married Jeanne Brethe, born and baptized on May 29, 1655, at the Saint-Jean-en-Grève church in Paris. The daughter of Charles Brethe, lord of Boinvilliers (died 1658), and Jeanne Gargam, Jeanne brought a respectable lineage to the union. From this marriage was born at least one son, Alexandre Louis Thomas de CHOISY, who carried on the family name and titles.
Alexandre Louis Thomas, Marquis de MONGNÉVILLE, was born around 1680 and died in 1719. He married Charlotte Thérèse de Lenoncourt on September 17, 1704 (born around 1684, died in 1756), from an influential family. From this union were born several children, including:
Charles Jean de CHOISY, Marquis de CROISY, died in 1781. He married twice: in 1744 to Hélène Adélaïde de Chastenet (died 1748), then in 1751 to Marguerite Jeanne d’Ourches. These alliances illustrate a matrimonial strategy aimed at strengthening ties with other noble lineages.
Charlotte Thérèse de CHOISY, born around 1711 and died in 1746, whose biographical details remain less documented.
Through his grandchildren, Thomas de CHOISY’s legacy extended to the late 18th century, a period marked by the upheavals of the French Revolution.
Thomas de CHOISY was also the godfather of Thomas Abel de Poilbois, born in 1686, a connection that highlights his role within a broader social network. Memoirs and genealogical works, such as those of the Société des Lettres de Bar-le-Duc (1900) or Chaix d’Est-Ange (1911), underscore his local significance. His burial in MOGNÉVILLE, accompanied by an epitaph in the local church, reflects his attachment to the land he had elevated to a marquisate.
Dying on February 26, 1710, in MOGNÉVILLE, Thomas de CHOISY left behind both a material and symbolic legacy. His exemplary career, noble titles, and well-established descendants make him a representative figure of the Ancien Régime nobility, at the crossroads of military service and territorial roots. Sources, including the works of Abbé F.-J. Poirier (Déméter, 1899) and local archives, allow us to precisely trace this trajectory, which is part of the history of Lorraine and Champagne.
Thus, the genealogy of Thomas de CHOISY illustrates not only a family lineage but also an era where ambition, talent, and alliances opened the doors to greatness.
✶ Jean de CHOISY, Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT: A Figure of Norman Nobility in the Time of Henri IV and Louis XIII
- Jean CHOISY, Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT
Jean de CHOISY, a historical figure tied to the lordship of BALLEROY (Calvados, Normandy). Historically, Jean de CHOISY, a counselor, notary, and secretary to the King, acquired the fief of BALLEROY on April 1, 1600. He was the son of a wine merchant who followed the court of Henri IV. His son, Jean II de CHOISY, a state counselor and chancellor to Gaston d’Orléans (brother of Louis XIII), was the one who built the Château de BALLEROY between 1626 and 1636, with architect François Mansart.
BEAUMONT might refer to BEAUMONT-le-Richard (Calvados), a lordship sometimes associated with the CHOISY family or close alliances, such as the La Cour de BALLEROY, who later inherited BALLEROY.
- Coat of Arms Identical to the CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE:
The coat of arms of the CHOISY de MOIGNEVILLE, described as "azure with a jagged saltire of gold, accompanied by a silver crescent in chief and three silver bezants, two in fess and one in base," is attributed to Thomas de CHOISY (1632–1710), Marquis de MOIGNEVILLE from 1692, and his lineage. This suggests a kinship or shared heraldic claim between the CHOISY de BALLEROY and those of MOIGNEVILLE.
Historically, coats of arms are often shared within a single family or between branches from a common trunk, which could indicate that Jean de CHOISY (or his son) and Thomas de CHOISY belong to the same family stock, though direct evidence of this connection is scarce.
If Jean, Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT, is the Jean de CHOISY who acquired BALLEROY in 1600, his activity spans the reigns of Henri IV (1589–1610) and Louis XIII (1610–1643). He served as a counselor to the King during this period, placing his active role between 1600 and approximately 1620–1630.
His son, Jean II, born around 1590–1600, became Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT (by inheritance) and a counselor to the King in the 1620s–1630s, the period when he initiated the construction of the château (1626). He died after 1636, leaving the lordship to his descendants.
Connection with MOIGNEVILLE:
Thomas de CHOISY, Marquis de MOIGNEVILLE, born in 1632, inherited or adopted these arms, which could have been those of the broader CHOISY family. If Jean (I or II) bore the same arms, this implies a family continuity predating 1632, stretching back to the early 17th century or earlier.
- No source provides a precise year for a "Jean, Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT, counselor to the King" explicitly bearing these arms. However, based on the available data:
Jean de CHOISY, Lord of BALLEROY (and potentially BEAUMONT through alliances), was active from 1600, the date of BALLEROY’s acquisition. As a counselor to the King under Henri IV and Louis XIII, his period of influence spans from 1600 to about 1625–1630.
If the coat of arms is a family inheritance, it could have been associated with this branch as early as that time, before being passed down to Thomas de CHOISY (MOIGNEVILLE) in the 17th century.
Jean, Lord of BALLEROY and BEAUMONT, counselor to the King, around 1600.
"Azure, with a jagged saltire of gold, accompanied in chief by a silver crescent, and three silver bezants, two in fess and one in base."
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