A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dorre family of England.
Reg. 3937 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
duckResourcefulness on land and water
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. on a chev. betw. three chub fish naiant ar. three shovellers sa. on a chief dancettée of the second three escallops of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dorre Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dorre arms are recorded
The Dorre 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 England when the Dorre 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 Dorre Family in England
The family name Dorre has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Dorres were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Middle English terms related to a doorway or a gate, which suggests that early ancestors may have lived near a prominent entrance to the city walls or worked as gatekeepers. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that characterized the seventeenth century. Their presence in York reflects a long tradition of urban life, where they contributed to the local economy and community development for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dur
A Germanic or Old French term meaning hard or enduring.
This name
DorreA locational or occupational surname likely referring to someone living near a gate or a sturdy individual.
also spelled
Dorry
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
York Minster Library and Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
duckResourcefulness on land and water
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
duckResourcefulness on land and water
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
