 Raymond-Jean-Baptiste de Verninac Saint-Maur was the son of François de Verninac (1753–1837) and Marie Delphy de Lisle of Salignac in Périgord.His father was brother of the diplomat Raymond de Verninac,
He was born in Souillac on 11 June 1794.He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1812.