The La Bourdonnaye family is an extant family of the French nobility of "ancient extraction" (noblesse d'ancienne extraction), with proof of nobility dating back to 1427. The family originated in Brittany.
Under the Ancien Régime, the family primarily held positions in the judiciary and royal administration. Its members include knights of the Order of Saint Michael, a bishop, several general officers, a deputy during the Bourbon Restoration who served as a minister to King Charles X, a mayor of Rennes, and various other deputies.
This family should not be confused with the Mahé de La Bourdonnais family, which is a separate line of the French nobility.
The La Bourdonnaye family originated from the lordship of La Bourdonnais in Trégomar, in the Côtes-d'Armor department of France. It later established roots in the parish of Gévezé, near Rennes.
The two currently existing branches descend from Bertrand IV de la Bourdonnaye (1395âÂÂ1469).
The senior branch, de La Bourdonnaye, descends from Jehan I (the elder), born in 1420 and died in 1480. He was succeeded by Jehan II (1445), Jehan III (1470), François-Louis (1500), Alain (1530), and Nicolas (1565). This lineage continued in Gévezé without achieving the same prominence as the cadet branch.
The cadet branch descends from Olivier II (the younger), born in 1425 and died in 1479. From this branch come two sub-branches with a common ancestor: Julien de La Bourdonnaye, esquire and Lord of Couettion, Bratz, Le Mottay, La Loherie, Le Boisguérin, and Héréal. He married Claude de Kerguizec on 5 April 1562, and their sons were:
The lineage is considered established from Guillaume II de La Bourdonnaye, esquire. He was the father of Robin de La Bourdonnaye, who built the Château de La Bourdonnaye in the parish of Gévezé and married Jeanne de la Chapelle of the House of Molac.
The proven lineage traces back to his grandson: Bertrand de la Bourdonnaye, Lord of Valmarquer, living in 1427, who married Anne de Boisguéhenneuc. They had two sons: Jean, the elder, founder of the senior branch of La Bourdonnaye (married to Jeanne de Bezit), and Olivier, founder of the cadet branch of Couettion (married to Marguerite Rabet).
The La Bourdonnaye family is listed in the catalogue of French nobility with the following arms: Gules, three pilgrim's staffs (bourdons) argent, placed in pale, two and one. They are noted for ancient extraction (1427), the Honours of the Court, and the title of Marquis granted in 1717. The family has been a member of the Association d'entraide de la noblesse française (ANF, Mutual aid association of the French nobility) since 1948. Louis de La Bourdonnaye, "Count of Blossac" (1627âÂÂ1699), a counselor at the Parlement of Brittany, was maintained as a noble of ancient extraction in Brittany on 21 October 1668. The lands and lordships of Couettion, La Gassilli, and Bouexières in Carentoir were united and erected into a marquisate under the name La Bourdonnaye by letters patent in February 1717. These were registered in Nantes on 7 February 1718, in favor of Yves de La Bourdonnaye, a Councilor of State.
The following individuals are notable members of the family, spanning roles from religious leaders to military officers and politicians:
The various branches of the La Bourdonnaye family received several aristocratic titles throughout the 18th and 19th centuries:
The primary family alliances include the following families: de Vau-Marquer (1350), de La Chapelle, de Boisguéhenneuc (1419), de Gladonnet de Bratz (1482), de Kerguisec (1562), de La Bouëxière (1614), du Breil (1643), de Sesmaisons (1686), Boleylesve de Chamballan (1695), Tranchant du Tret (1765), Bertier de Sauvigny (1782), Vollaige de Vaugirault (1797), de Menou (1829), de Jouenne d'Escrigny (1867), de La Cropte de Chantérac (1876), de la Boëssière-Thiennes (1907), Bernard de Montessus (1930), de Ghellinck d'Elseghem (1934), de Lambilly (1934, 1944), de Kerautem (1939), de Poulpiquet du Halgouët, de Lassus Saint-Geniès (1942), du Trémolet de Lacheisserie, de Garidel-Thoron, de Goulaine, and the House of Harcourt.
The family has owned several significant properties throughout Brittany and the Loire region, including urban hotels and rural châteaux:
The family's influence is still visible in the toponymy of various French cities and municipalities: