A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Depas family of France.
Reg. 4945 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un palmier de sin., terrassé du même, sur lequel broche un cheval galopant de sa., allumé de gu.; à la bord. d'azur, ch. de seize étoiles d'arg.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Depas arms are recorded
The Depas arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Depas 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 Depas Family in France
The surname Depas originates from the French language and functions as a topographic name, meaning it was likely given to a family that lived near a specific landmark or a passage. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Depas family were established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, families in this area were often deeply connected to the local agricultural landscape or maritime trade, which defined their daily lives and social standing. As the name spread through the province, it became a marker of a family rooted in the unique cultural traditions of western France. Over time, the name evolved alongside the shifting borders and administrative changes of the region, reflecting the steady growth of the family within their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de pas
of the pass or of the step
This name
Depasa topographic name for someone who lived near a mountain pass or a pathway.
also spelled
de Pas
du Pass
du Paz
Du Pa
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
