Map of England showing where the Doorish arms are recorded
The Doorish arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1256.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
Henry III of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry III of England
1216–1272
Reigning in England when the Doorish arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Doorish Family in England
The family name Doorish has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1256. During the thirteenth century, surnames were becoming more common as a way to identify people based on their occupation, their personality, or the specific area where they resided. The name likely evolved from a topographical description, which means it was used to identify individuals who lived near a specific landmark, such as a gate or a doorway. Because medieval records were often written in Latin or early forms of English, the spelling of the name shifted frequently as scribes recorded it phonetically. Over several centuries, the family established itself within the local community, contributing to the agricultural and social life of the Devon region. By tracking these early appearances in legal and tax documents, historians can see how the family name persisted through generations as a stable identifier for those living in the southwest of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dorus
Derived from the Greek word for a gift or present.
This name
DoorishA locational surname likely referring to someone who lived near a gate or doorway.
also spelled
Dowrysh
Dowryshe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Fry, Edward Alexander, A Calendar of the Feet of Fines for the County of Devon, 1906
The National Archives, Curia Regis Rolls, 1256
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bordureA difference between branches of one family
