Grace and Favour Seigneuries (Seigneuries de faveur)

According to figures compiled by Marcel Trudel, of the 67 seigneuries granted between 1634 et 1663, 7 belonged to the religious orders and the church, namely those of the Jesuits, Sulpicians, Ursulines and nursing orders of Quebec and Montreal, the fabric of the parish of Notre Dame in Quebec, and the mission to the Christian Savages (Amerindians) at Sillery. 35 of the remaining seigneuries belonged to members of the aristocracy, whether of ancient or recent lineage. 20 seigneurs were members of the bourgeoisie, having been promoted to that rank by virtue of their commercial activities or their position as servants of the state. 5 seigneurs were tradesmen, of whom 4 held only an arrière-fief (sub-fief.) 10 out of the 60 lay seigneurs were not living in New France in 1663.

The Quebec region was the first to be developed. In 1663, almost 81% of all seigneurial lands were in the hands of people residing at Quebec or in the region, compared with 7.1% for residents of Montreal and 12.1% for those of Trois Rivières (Three Rivers.) In the same year, half the lands belonged to women: a dozen widows and guardians, and the religious orders of women. Although the area of land granted as fiefs before 1663 was vast - twelve and a half million arpents - half or more than half of it had fallen to the distaff side.