Transcribed from Genealogy of the DeVeaux Family
by Thomas De Voe, 1885
Early Introduction of the Name
by Thomas De Voe, 1885
Early Introduction of the Name
In glancing over a large number of old records, genealogies, and late directories
of French noble families, we find the name now generally known as De Voe,
De Veaux, de Vaux, etc., appears to have been originally known in France as Vaux,
Veaux, etc., and was found to be prominent among the government officers at a very early
period.
In a very elaborate genealogy * we find: �The family of Vaux derived its surname from
a district in Normandy, where it was originally seated. So early as the year 749 of the
Christian era a branch of the Vaux Family is found in Provence, who was found to be
allied by marriage to several of.the Sovereign Princes of Europe.�
Another early branch is noticed by �Bouvier,� who says:
�Eloi, Sire of Verchmont, had been appointed, in an Edict of Charles the Bald in the
year 857, Vidame and Lord of Vaux, Count of Verchmont.�
At a later period �Eloi-Michel De Vaux is called Sire & Count of Verchmont,
Sire & Baron of Gaillon,
great baillif of the sword (grand bailli d�epee) of the Dutchy of Nantes, Prince of the holy
Roman Empire, and Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Malta. Another
of the Verchmont branch was found in a rescript of Charles de Gonzague, when he
made Charleville out of the small Town of Arches in 1698."
The name is further mentioned in the records of that and subsequent periods by the
patronymic of Beaux, Baux, or Vaux (B and V being used indiscriminately in the south
* �A Count Elle de Vaux da Verchmont was taken, under the Republic, corresponding
with the army of the Conde; judged and condemned, he was executrd on January 5, 1793
whilst his brother, Michel Verchmont, was receiving a sword of honor for, his
brave conduct in front of the enemy.�
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of France), and the ancient possessions of the Princes of Baux in that country are still called �Les Terres Baussengues" comprising Aix, Marseilles, etc.
In the year 1140 the Vauxes disputed the sovereignty of Provence with the house of Barcelona and in 1173 they acquired the principality of Orange by marriage with Tiburge, heiress of Orange.
"Bertram de Vaux was Count of Montescaziosi, and married Beatrix, daughter of Charles II, King of Naples and Sicily.
�His son, Francis de Vaux, espoused Margaret of Anjou. widow of Edward Baloil, King of Scotland, etc. Upon this marriage, Francis de Vaux was created Duke of Andrea in the Kingdom of Naples, &., and his descendants enjoyed the highest offices, as the following inscription, translated from a monument erected in the year 1615 in the Church of St. Clair, at Naples, fully attests. This monument is dedicated to the most illustrious family of Vaux, a potent race, decorated with the royal insignia in the kingdom of Vienne and Aries, Princes of Orange, Counts of Geneva, and great rulers within the sovereignty of Provence, which they frequently subjugated to their dominion by force of arms."Hyeronyrnus de Vaux has here deposited the bones of as many of his name and lineage as he has been able to collect, and out of piety to them has erected this monument to their memory:
�Antonia de Vaux, Queen. of Sicily.
�Isabella de Vaux, Queen of Naples.
�Cecilia de Vaux, Countess of Savoy.
�Sibella de Vaux, Princess of Piedmont. �Maria de Vaux, Dauphiness of Vienne.
�IsabelIa de Vaux, Despotisses of Servia.�
�The earliest account we have of the founders of the English branches of the Vaux family is that of �Bertrand
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de Vaux, attended a tournament in the year 929, and was a favorite of Robert I., Duke of Normandy, grandfather of William the conqueror. The names of the descendants of this Bertrand are traced through the Rolles Normand, written Baux, Vaux, Vaulx, &c.�
In the next earliest French records we find �Jean de Veau, gallant (son of a chevalier),
who assisted, with several other noblemen in 1302 at the assizes of the Seneschal of
Beauraime. Then appears:
"Raimond Veau, gallant son of �Feu Pierre Garin de Vaux; and
�Pierre Rigaud de Vaux who pledged fidelity and duty to the ��Countess Elinore de
Cozninges in 1343.�
