Map of France showing where the Derry arms are recorded
The Derry 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 Derry 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 Derry Family in France
The family name Derry carries a rich history rooted in the coastal region of Bretagne, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this area. The name is often linked to the Old French word "derrier," which translates to "behind" or "at the back." This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near the rear of a village or behind a significant local landmark. Over many generations, the family became deeply integrated into the social and agricultural life of the Breton countryside. As they moved through different regions, the spelling of the name evolved to suit local dialects and languages, eventually becoming the version recognized today. This history reflects the common practice of naming families based on their physical surroundings and their specific place within a community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Theodoric
Derived from Germanic elements meaning ruler of the people.
This name
DerryA locative surname originating from the French town of Derry or a variant of the name Theodoric.
also spelled
Derye
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
Archives départementales du Finistère. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
