A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Doré family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3338 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à un poisson nageant d'or, acc. en chef de deux têtes de lion d'arg. et en p. d'un croiss. du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Doré Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Doré arms are recorded
The Doré 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 Doré 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 Doré Family in France
The name Doré has deep roots in the French language, primarily serving as a descriptive nickname for individuals with golden hair or a particularly bright complexion. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the region of Bretagne, a coastal area known for its distinct culture and maritime traditions. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Doré family were active participants in the local community during this era. Life in Bretagne at that time was defined by the rhythm of farming and the influence of the Catholic Church, which kept meticulous registers of births, marriages, and deaths. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, contributing to the agricultural and trade-based economy that sustained the region for generations. Their presence in these early parish records highlights a long history of stability and local integration within the French countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per pale az. and gu. three bees or”
HerefordBurton · Hereford, c. 1620
Where the Doré Arms Were Recorded
Hereford
Map of England showing where the Doré arms are recorded
The Doré arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Doré 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Doré Family in England
The surname Doré carries a rich history that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with golden hair or a sun-kissed complexion. While the name has deep roots in France, it became established in England through migration and the natural movement of families across the channel. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly planted itself in the county of Herefordshire. Records confirm that members of the Doré family were living in this region by 1620, where they integrated into the local community as farmers and tradespeople. Over time, the name evolved in spelling and pronunciation as it adapted to the English language, yet it remained a distinct identifier for those who carried it. This early presence in Herefordshire highlights how the family became part of the local landscape during a period of significant social and agricultural development in rural England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
aurum
Latin word meaning gold or a precious yellow metal.
This name
DoréRefers to a person with golden hair or someone who worked with gold.
also spelled
Doree
Doray
Dora
Door
Related arms
Dörrvariant spelling
Doorvariant spelling
Dower, or Doorvariant spelling
Cheekerecorded with Doré, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
