Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois étoiles de gu. C.: un agneau pascal pass. d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Davie family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois étoiles de gu. C.: un agneau pascal pass. d'arg.”
The Davie arms were recorded in Boston, 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.
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.
The name Davie finds its roots in the historical region of Brittany, France, where family members were documented as early as 1725. During this period, the name functioned as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name David, which was widely popular across Europe due to its biblical significance. In the social structure of eighteenth-century Brittany, families often lived in small rural communities where they worked in agriculture or maritime trades along the rugged coastline. As the name spread through the region, it became a marker of local identity for families who maintained deep ties to their parishes. These early ancestors were part of a society that relied heavily on oral traditions and local church records to track their lineage and community standing. By settling in this specific corner of France, the family became part of a long tradition of Breton history that valued regional autonomy and close-knit family networks.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. betw. three mullets pierced gu.; 2nd and 3rd, az. three cinquefoils, two and one, or, upon a chief of the last a lion pass. gu”
The Davie arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The surname Davie is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of a man named David. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Devon in South West England. During this period, Devon was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural growth, providing a stable environment for families to settle and expand their influence. Many individuals bearing the name were deeply involved in the local community life of the region, often working as landowners or tradespeople. The presence of the Davie family in Devon by 1620 reflects a long-standing connection to the landscape and social structure of the English West Country. As the name spread through local parish records and legal documents, it became a recognized part of the regional identity that defined that corner of England for generations.
A Hebrew name meaning beloved or friend.

