A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Damours family of France.
Reg. 8017 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois clous de sa., surm. d'un sanglier du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Damours Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Damours arms are recorded
The Damours arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Damours arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Damours Family in France
The surname Damours originates from the historic region of Brittany in northwestern France. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were well-established in this coastal province, which was known for its strong maritime traditions and distinct cultural identity. The name itself is descriptive, likely evolving from a nickname or a reference to a person’s character or social standing within their local community. In 1663, records confirm the presence of the family in Brittany during a time of significant social change and migration. Many individuals from this region eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their family name to the French colonies in North America. This transition marked the beginning of the family's long history in the New World, where they helped shape the early development of colonial society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amour
Derived from the Latin word amor meaning love or affection.
This name
DamoursA topographic or habitational name referring to someone who lived near a place associated with love.
also spelled
Damour
Damoor
Related arms
Damourvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours. 1871
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
