Map of France showing where the Darna arms are recorded
The Darna arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Darna 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 Darna Family in France
The family name Darna has deep roots in the historic city of Toulouse, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During this period, Toulouse was a major center for trade and legal administration in southern France. Families like the Darna were often connected to the local merchant class or the skilled trades that kept the city’s economy moving. Because the name is tied to the Languedoc region, it likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the area before standard French became the universal language. Living in a bustling city like Toulouse suggests that the early Darna family members were active participants in the social and professional life of the seventeenth century, likely working in roles that required them to interact with the city’s growing population and its many religious and civic institutions.
Darna Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
d'Arna
Derived from the Occitan word for the alder tree.
This name
DarnaA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a grove of alder trees.
also spelled
Darram
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Toulouse, 1663
Wolff, Philippe, Histoire de Toulouse, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
handFaith, sincerity and justice
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
