A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Doane family of France.
Reg. 9454 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur semé de croix recr. d'or; à une licorne ramp. d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
FranceNew-York, c. 1725
Where the Doane Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Doane arms are recorded
The Doane arms were recorded in New-York, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Doane 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 Doane Family in France
The history of the Doane name is deeply connected to the coastal regions of northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne. This region was known for its rugged landscape and strong maritime traditions, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself reflects the linguistic shifts common in the area, where local dialects blended with broader regional influences over several centuries. As people moved through these coastal communities, the family became part of a network of farmers and tradespeople who helped shape the local economy. Their presence in Bretagne during the early eighteenth century suggests a long-standing connection to the land and the distinct cultural identity of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
d'Oane
A locative reference indicating origin from the town of Oane.
This name
DoaneA topographic or habitational surname denoting a person who hailed from the French commune of Oane.
also spelled
Done
Doan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les familles bretonnes sous l'Ancien Régime, 2005
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
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
