A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Donnay family of Belgium.
Reg. 4804 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à cinq los. de gu., accolées en fasce; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un coq de gu.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
Where the Donnay Arms Were Recorded
Liege
Map of Belgium showing where the Donnay arms are recorded
The Donnay arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Donnay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Liege.
Origin & History of the Donnay Family in Belgium
The surname Donnay originates from the French-speaking regions of modern-day Belgium, specifically within the historic Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The name is considered a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name of an early ancestor, likely a variation of the name Donat or Donatien. By the early eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the Liège area, as evidenced by records confirming their presence there in 1737. During this period, the region was a bustling center for industry and trade, which likely influenced the family’s social and economic development. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local community, contributing to the distinct cultural and linguistic identity of the Walloon region. Their history reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement common to families living in this strategically important crossroads of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Donatus
A Latin name derived from the verb meaning to give or bestow.
This name
DonnayA patronymic form indicating a descendant of someone named Donat or Donatus.
also spelled
Donnai
Donay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Liège, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Liège (1737)
Herbillon, Jules and Germain, Jean, Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Belgique romane et dans les régions limitrophes, 1996
Marynissen, Ann and Janssens, Guy, Handboek Familienamen. Wat vertellen onze familienamen ons?, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
