Research Framework: A Legitimist representative under the Second Republic (1848-1852), Paul de Dieuleveult (1799-1867) embodied the traditional Western notable in the mid-19th century. His privileged social position marks the culmination of a social ascent begun by his father, François-Marie, in Tréguier, Côtes-du-Nord.

Objectives: To examine the importance of family heritage in the Legitimist commitment of Paul de Dieuleveult and his fellow Legislative deputies.

Methodology: To achieve this, we will draw on the work of our thesis (Stefanelly, 2013) and on the biographical notes of parliamentarians.

Results: Paul de Dieuleveult’s commitment to the Legitimist cause was determined by his family background. His father rose socially through his medical activities, his two successive marriages, his attainment of a noble title and the exercise of local responsibilities under the Restoration. Paul belongs to this lineage. Thanks to him, he has considerable material and land assets. His marriage enables him to complete alliances with the region’s prominent families. His entry into politics in the final years of the Restoration period gave concrete expression to his legitimist commitment. The July Monarchy marked a political break, but he returned to the forefront of local political life in 1848 and became a member of parliament. During his term of office, he endeavored to build on his political base by preserving community unanimity.

Conclusion: Many of his fellow Legitimists in the West, birthplace of Legitimism, are part of a family heritage. A minority of them have less marked family antecedents and have emerged socially thanks to their abilities.

Contributions: The family dimension is essential to understanding the political commitment of a legitimist representative under the Second Republic, even if this is not true in all cases, and the individual psychological dimension is a factor to be taken into account.