A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Desbois family of France.
Reg. 1512 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un tremble arr. d'arg., accosté de deux croiss. affr. du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Desbois Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Desbois arms are recorded
The Desbois 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 Desbois 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 Desbois Family in France
The surname Desbois is a topographic name that originated in France, meaning "of the woods" or "from the forest." During the medieval period, such names were often given to families who lived near or worked within wooded areas, serving as a way to distinguish individuals by their environment. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Desbois family were well-established in the region of Bretagne. At this time, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own cultural traditions and social structures. Families living in this area were often involved in agriculture or forestry, which aligns with the literal meaning of their name. As the family grew and moved throughout the region, they became part of the local history that shaped the rural landscape of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de bois
From the woods or forest
This name
DesboisRefers to a person who lived near or worked within a wooded area.
also spelled
Desboi
Desboy
Debwa
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
Morvan, Françoise. Bretagne est l'univers. 2001
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
