Map of France showing where the Davillier arms are recorded
The Davillier 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 Davillier 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 Davillier Family in France
The family name Davillier traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Brittany. By the early 18th century, members of the family were well-established in this area, living as part of the local social fabric during the reign of King Louis XV. The name itself likely evolved from a geographical descriptor, as was common for families in rural provinces during that era. While many families in Brittany at the time were deeply involved in maritime trade or local agriculture, the Davilliers were known for their steady presence in the region’s administrative and social life. As the family grew, they maintained strong ties to their Breton origins, which helped define their identity as they eventually expanded into other parts of France. This early history reflects the typical movement of families who transitioned from regional landholders to figures of local influence in the decades leading up to the French Revolution.
Davillier Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
David
Beloved or friend in Hebrew
This name
DavillierA diminutive or patronymic form indicating a descendant of someone named David
also spelled
Davillyer
Daveelyay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 1965
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
