A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Deroy family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4928 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. de trois los. du même. Cq. cour. C.: une los. de gu., entre un vol, coupé alt. de gu. et d'arg. L. d'arg. et de gu. [Les gentilshommes du nom portent les mêmes armes].”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Deroy Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Deroy arms are recorded
The Deroy arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Deroy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Deroy Family in Germany
The history of the Deroy family in Germany is deeply connected to the region of Bavaria during the eighteenth century. By 1765, the family was already established in this area, where they became notable figures within the local social and military structures. The name itself reflects a blend of cultural influences, as it likely originated from French-speaking regions before the family migrated eastward into the German territories. Once settled in Bavaria, members of the family integrated into the administrative and professional life of the state. They often held positions of responsibility that allowed them to influence the development of their local communities. Over time, the Deroy name became associated with the professional class, marking the family as a stable and respected presence in the Bavarian landscape during a period of significant political change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
columnFortitude and constancy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec. d'or et de sa.; à quatre colonnes (zuilen) de l'un à l'autre.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Deroy Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Deroy arms are recorded
The Deroy arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Deroy Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Deroy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Deroy Family in Netherlands
The surname Deroy carries a distinct history within the Netherlands, particularly as it emerged among the urban populations of the early nineteenth century. By 1815, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Amsterdam, a city that served as a bustling hub of trade and migration during the post-Napoleonic era. The name itself suggests a connection to the French language, likely originating from the phrase "le roi," which translates to "the king." It is probable that the family arrived in the Netherlands as part of the broader movement of people across European borders during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. As they settled into life in Amsterdam, the family became part of the city’s diverse social fabric, contributing to the local economy and community during a time when the Dutch nation was transitioning into a new political identity. Their presence in the city archives from this period highlights how families with international roots helped shape the modern character of Dutch urban life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à deux chev. entrelacés d'or, l'un renv. et mouv. du chef; au chef de gu., ch. de trois étoiles (5) du sec.”
SwitzerlandNeufchâtel, c. 1745
Where the Deroy Arms Were Recorded
Neufchâtel
Map of Switzerland showing where the Deroy arms are recorded
The Deroy arms were recorded in Neufchâtel, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Deroy Family in Switzerland
The family name Deroy carries a deep connection to the history of the Neuchâtel region in Switzerland. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had firmly established itself within this area, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Neuchâtel by 1745. During this period, the region was a principality with a unique political status that allowed for a blend of Swiss and French cultural influences. Families like the Deroys were often integrated into the local social fabric through trade, craftsmanship, or agricultural work, which were the primary ways people sustained their households in the Jura Mountains and the lakeside towns. As the name suggests a French origin, it is likely that early ancestors were part of the migration patterns that brought French-speaking families into the Swiss cantons, where they adapted to the local customs and governance of the time. This transition helped the family become a permanent part of the Neuchâtel community, where they contributed to the local economy and the development of the region throughout the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Le Roi
Old French term meaning the king.
This name
DeroyA topographic name for someone who lived near land owned by the king.
also spelled
Deroi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
columnFortitude and constancy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
