A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dou family of France.
Reg. 7400 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles d'or.”
FranceReims, c. 1663
Where the Dou Arms Were Recorded
Reims
Map of France showing where the Dou arms are recorded
The Dou arms were recorded in Reims, c. 1663.
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 Dou 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 France.
Origin & History of the Dou Family in France
The family name Dou has deep roots in the historical landscape of northern France, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of Reims by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Reims was a vital center for trade and religious life, and families living there often played key roles in the local economy or the administration of the city. The name itself is thought to have originated from regional dialects, possibly serving as a shortened form of longer names or as a descriptive label for individuals living near specific landmarks. As the family established their presence in the Champagne region, they became part of the social fabric of a city famous for its grand cathedral and its long history of crowning French monarchs. By settling in such a prominent urban hub, the early members of the Dou family were positioned to participate in the growth and development of one of France’s most significant historical cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dulcis
Latin term meaning sweet, pleasant, or delightful.
This name
DouA topographic name for someone living near a sweet or pleasant water source.
also spelled
Douix
Doui
Dou
le Dwee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Marne, Registres paroissiaux de Reims
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
