A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darras family of France.
Reg. 7570 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la bande de gu., ch. de trois marteaux d'or.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Darras Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Darras arms are recorded
The Darras arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Darras 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Darras Family in France
The surname Darras is a topographic name that originated in France, specifically identifying people who lived near or hailed from the region of Artois. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Lyonnais region, with records confirming their residence there as early as 1663. During this period, families in the Lyonnais area were often deeply involved in the local silk trade and the bustling merchant culture of Lyon, which served as a major economic hub for the kingdom. As the name spread from its northern roots, it became associated with families who navigated the complex social and professional landscapes of provincial France. These early ancestors likely lived through a time of significant transition as the French monarchy consolidated power and expanded its administrative reach into the daily lives of its citizens.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arras
A city in northern France named after the Atrebates Celtic tribe.
This name
DarrasA locative surname denoting someone who originated from the city of Arras.
also spelled
Dara
Daras
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Moreri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
