Montmorency family, one of France’s most illustrious families, which took its name from its seat at Montmorency in the Île-de-France, whence its head became traditionally known as “premier baron (or premier Christian) of France.” Traceable to the 10th century, the family provided several constables of France in the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 16th centuries and a line of ducs de Montmorency from 1551 to 1632, besides numerous other persons prominent among the high officers of the French crown, among the marshals of France, or in the peerage.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Albert, Research Editor.
