A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Demaine family of France.
Reg. 5164 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 croix fleurdelisée de sa.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Demaine Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Demaine arms are recorded
The Demaine arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Demaine 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Demaine Family in France
The family name Demaine carries deep historical roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this region, which was known for its distinct culture and strong maritime traditions. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the French phrase de maine, which suggests a geographic origin or a connection to a specific territory. During the seventeenth century, families in this part of France often lived in close-knit rural communities where they relied on agriculture and local trade to sustain their households. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, navigating the political and economic shifts that defined life in western France during the reign of King Louis XIV. Their presence in the historical record during this era highlights a long-standing legacy that has endured for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de Maine
Derived from the historical Maine province in northwestern France.
This name
DemaineRefers to a person who originated from the Maine region.
also spelled
Berard
Berar du Demane
Berard du Demane
Demaine
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Archives judiciaires de l'Ancien Régime)
Galliou, Patrick, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2005
Le Page, Dominique, Pour en finir avec le Moyen Âge : La Bretagne au XVIe siècle, 2011
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
