A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Delaunay family of France.
Reg. 7193 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 fasce de gu., acc. en chef de deux merlettes de sa. et en p. d'une molette du même [Armes de Jourdan Delaunay, dernier gouverneur de la Bastille.]”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Delaunay Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Delaunay arms are recorded
The Delaunay arms were recorded in Paris, 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 Delaunay 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 Delaunay Family in France
The surname Delaunay is a classic example of a French topographic name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. The name is derived from the French word "aulne," which refers to the alder tree, suggesting that the earliest ancestors of the family likely lived near a grove or a cluster of these specific trees. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Paris. Records confirm that members of the Delaunay family were living in the capital city by 1663, a time when Paris was undergoing significant growth and cultural transformation under the reign of King Louis XIV. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of the city, working in various trades and professions that helped define the bustling life of seventeenth-century France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aulne
The alder tree, a type of deciduous tree found in wetlands.
This name
DelaunayRefers to someone who lived near a grove or forest of alder trees.
also spelled
Delaunai
Delauney
Delonay
Related arms
Berthesimilar arms
Delftsimilar arms
Launoysimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives Nationales de France. Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series MC/ET/LXXIII
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
