A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Danao family of France.
Reg. 8334 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
duckResourcefulness on land and water
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de sa. à un lévrier pass. d'or, coll. et bouclé du même, acc. en chef d'une étoile d'or surmontée de deux palmes d'arg., passées en saut.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une canette d'arg., nageant sur une eau de sin et acc. de trois étoiles d'or, rangées en chef; au 4 d'arg. à un orme terrassé de sin., le fût accoié d'un cep de vigne au nat.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Danao arms are recorded
The Danao arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Danao 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 France.
Origin & History of the Danao Family in France
The family name Danao carries a deep connection to the coastal region of Bretagne, France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1725. During this period, the name was likely tied to the rugged landscape and the maritime culture of northwestern France. Families in this region often derived their names from specific geographic features or local landmarks, which suggests that the ancestors of the Danao line may have been farmers or sailors who lived near a distinct natural site. As the eighteenth century progressed, the family remained part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and fishing traditions that defined life in the Breton countryside. While the name eventually spread beyond these original borders, its roots remain firmly planted in the history of the Breton people and their unique regional identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dan
A Hebrew term meaning judge or to judge.
This name
DanaoA locative surname derived from the French town of Danou in Normandy.
also spelled
Danya
Danie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
duckResourcefulness on land and water
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
duckResourcefulness on land and water
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
