A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Denman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3597 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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. au chev. de gu., ch. de trois mouch. d'herm. d'or et acc. de trois têtes de lion du”
Francec. 1834
Where the Denman Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Denman arms are recorded
The Denman arms were recorded in France, c. 1834.
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.
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 Denman Family in France
The family name Denman possesses a distinct history rooted in the cultural landscape of northwestern France. While the surname is often associated with later migrations to England, records confirm that the family maintained a notable presence in the Bretagne region by 1834. During this period, the area was undergoing significant social changes following the Napoleonic era, and families like the Denmans were often integrated into the local agrarian or mercantile classes of the coastal provinces. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the Armorican peninsula, where surnames were frequently adapted to reflect local geography or specific family occupations. By the mid-19th century, these families were deeply woven into the fabric of Breton society, participating in the traditional communal life that defined the region before the rapid industrialization of the later century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three lions' heads erased gu. three erm. spots or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Denman Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Denman arms are recorded
The Denman arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Denman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Denman Family in England
The surname Denman is a topographical name that originated in medieval England, likely describing someone who lived in or near a deep valley. The name is derived from the Old English words "denu," meaning valley, and "mann," meaning person. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Denman family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and administration, suggesting that the family was well-integrated into the local community. As the family grew, they transitioned from their rural roots to become part of the urban fabric of English society, eventually spreading across various regions of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dan
A Hebrew term meaning judge or to judge.
This name
DenmanA topographical surname for someone who lived in a valley or near a Dane.
also spelled
Denmann
Denmanne
Denmaen
Denmon
Related arms
Deane Mannvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales du Finistère, Recensements de population
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Gall, Erwan, Une histoire de la Bretagne, 2018
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
