Map of Switzerland showing where the Dorman arms are recorded
The Dorman arms were recorded in Rappersweil, c. 1725.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Dorman Family in Switzerland
The history of the Dorman family in Switzerland is deeply rooted in the lakeside town of Rapperswil, where records confirm their presence by the year 1725. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic life of the region, which served as a vital crossroads for trade and travel along the upper Lake Zurich. Families living in this area often held status as local citizens, which granted them specific rights to participate in town governance and access common lands. The Dorman name likely evolved from regional dialects and occupational descriptions common to the German-speaking cantons of the eighteenth century. As residents of a town known for its strategic castle and market importance, early members of the family were likely integrated into the local craft or merchant guilds that defined the stability of Swiss town life during the Enlightenment era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three leopards' faces ar”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Dorman arms are recorded
The Dorman arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Switzerland when the Dorman 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 England.
Origin & History of the Dorman Family in England
The surname Dorman has deep roots in English history, often associated with individuals who served as gatekeepers or lived near the entrance of a fortified area. The name is derived from the Old French word dorman, which referred to someone who managed a door or a gate. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the northern city of York, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families like the Dormans often held roles that kept them connected to the city's administrative and social structures. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of northern England, contributing to the development of their communities through their work and daily lives. The persistence of the name in regional records suggests that the Dorman family was a stable and recognized part of the population in York for generations.
Dorman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dormant
Derived from the Latin dormire meaning to sleep or be inactive.
This name
DormanAn occupational name for a gatekeeper or a dweller near a sleeping place.
also spelled
Dormann
Dormane
Dormans
Dormand
Dormant
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Rapperswil-Jona, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Rapperswil
Staatsarchiv des Kantons St. Gallen, Zivilstandsregister der Gemeinde Rapperswil
Zürcher, Christoph, Rapperswil (SG), Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2012
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
