A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Desmarais family of France.
Reg. 5876 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. la croix ancrée d'arg.; à la bande de sa., br. sur le tout et ch. de trois coquilles d'arg.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Desmarais Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Desmarais arms are recorded
The Desmarais arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Desmarais 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Desmarais Family in France
The surname Desmarais is a descriptive French name that translates literally to "of the marsh." It was originally used to identify people who lived near a swampy area or a body of stagnant water. By the middle of the 17th century, the name was well established in the Normandy region of France. In 1663, records confirm that members of the Desmarais family were living in this coastal province before many of them began their journey to New France. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who relied on the fertile yet damp landscape of northern France for their livelihood. As they moved across the Atlantic, they carried this geographic name with them, helping it evolve from a simple description of a home into a lasting family legacy in North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de des marais
Preposition indicating origin from a marsh or wetland area.
This name
DesmaraisRefers to a person who lived near or worked on marshy land.
also spelled
Demarais
Demaray
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours. 1871
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Fonds du Ministère de la Culture et des Communications
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
