Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
de Chavigny Family
From Chavigny and Chevignard de Chavigny to Gravier de Vergennes: The Evolution of Family Arms Over Time
The Evolution of the Chavigny arms through the centuries.​
The Chavigny family (also spelled Chavigney or Chavignez in older sources) is a noble family originating from Burgundy (Bourgogne). The family was prominent in the 16th and 17th centuries, especially under Claude de Chavigny, who was Seigneur (Lord) de Chavigny, Baron de Chastenay, as well as Comte de Toulongeon. Secretary of State under Louis XIII and councilor to Cardinal Richelieu, Claude is arguably the most prestigious figure in the family.
However, the line seems to have become extinct or merged into other houses by the 18th century.​​
From de Chavigny to Chevignard de Chavigny.
The Chevignard family added “de Chavigny” after acquiring the lordship. Their arms include the Chavigny arms, which suggests either inheritance through heiresses or symbolic alliance. It seems most likely that the Chevignard family acquired the Chavigny name and arms through marriage, probably from a Chavigny heiress. They were not originally the same family, but became heraldically and nominally fused. This is reflected in heraldry: “parti” shields, where Chavigny arms appear beside those of Chevignard.​​
The Title: Comte de Toulongeon.
The title “Comte de Toulongeon” was originally associated with the Chavigny family, particularly Claude de Chavigny. Over time, the title passed to other families either by marriage or inheritance. The Chevignard de Chavigny may have adopted or inherited the title, possibly after the extinction of the main Chavigny line. Théodore Chevignard de Chavigny (1687 - 1771), was Comte de Toulongeon and Baron d'Uchon.
From Chevignard de Chavigny to Gravier de Vergennes.
The Chavigny family coat of arms evolved over the time and was incorporated into the arms of the Gravier de Vergennes family: Per pale, 1st, Gules, three martlets rising argent, the two in chief affrontant; 2nd, Gules, a cross argent charged with an escutcheon sable, itself charged with a vine stock vert; on a chief azure, a sun or.
The most notable connection between the two families is Jeanne Chevignard de Chavigny who married Jean Gravier, Marquis de Vergennes, the brother of Charles Gravier de Vergennes (the famous diplomat). However, Charles himself was also a distant relative of Theodore Chevignard de Chavigny.
Jean Gravier de Vergennes, husband of Jeanne Chevignard de Chavigny.
Jean Gravier (1718 - 1794), Marquis of Vergennes, married to Jeanne Chevignard de Chavigny, a family already related to the Graviers. Jeanne was indeed the daughter of Philibert Chevignard de Chavigny, President of the Parliament of Besançon, and niece of the ambassador Théodore Chevignard de Chavigny, Count of Toulongeon. Théodore is the grandfather of Claire Élisabeth de Vergennes. A link between the two families was thus already established in the genealogy.
Jean was a magistrate and diplomat and was the elder brother of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and Louis XVI's Chief Minister, Charles Gravier de Vergennes.
Charles Gravier de Vergennes, nephew of Théodore Chevignard de Chavigny.
Charles (1719 - 1787) is the younger brother of Jean Gravier, marquis de Vergennes, but also a distant nephew of Théodore Chevignard de Chavigny. In 1739, at the age of twenty, Charles accepted an offer to go to Lisbon as an assistant to his uncle Théodore, the Count of Toulongeon, who was an experienced diplomat and secret agent who had been made ambassador to Portugal.
Charles rose through the ranks of the diplomatic service during postings in Portugal and later Germany.
While in Germany, his diplomatic work in the Holy Roman Empire (especially at Regensburg) was important. He gained experience and the post helped position him for the far greater achievements of his later career, notably the Franco-American alliance and the Treaty of Paris (1783).
From 1755 to 1768, Charles Gravier served as French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, where he successfully strengthened the longstanding Franco-Ottoman alliance, protected French commercial and religious interests under the Capitulations, and carefully monitored the growing threat of Russian and Austrian expansion. His diplomatic skill earned France continued influence, and his detailed reports helped shape French understanding of the “Eastern Question”.
As French Minister of Foreign Affairs under Louis XVI, Charles Gravier played a pivotal role in the American War of Independence. From the outset of the conflict, he viewed the American struggle as a strategic opportunity to weaken Britain, France's long-standing rival, and to restore France's influence on the global stage after its losses in the Seven Years’ War. He covertly supported the American revolutionaries even before France’s formal entry into the war. His most decisive achievement came in 1778, when France officially recognized the independence of the United States. This move brought France fully into the war against Britain and led to the entry of Spain and the Dutch Republic into the conflict, transforming it into a global war. Vergennes skillfully managed these alliances and played a crucial role in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Paris (1783), which formally ended the war and recognized American independence.
Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.