Douglas Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Douglas family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 4259 · Britain, D–F

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion

heartSincerity, charity and true affection

mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above

Colours

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth

Red (Gules)Means: Military strength

Historical info

Source

J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87

Blazon (the actual original written record)

“D'arg. à un coeur de gu., surm. d'une couronne royale d'or; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles du champ. C.: une salamandre entourée de flammes, au nat.”

Britainc. 1700

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Where the Douglas Arms Were Recorded

Kent

Map of Britain showing where the Douglas arms are recorded

The Douglas arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.

Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.

Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.

Region: Kent
First recorded: 1700

Granting Authority for the Douglas Arms

Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.

Sovereign of the period

William III of England

1694–1702

Reigning in Britain when the Douglas arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Britain

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 Britain.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

bordureA difference between branches of one family

chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion

heartSincerity, charity and true affection

mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above

Colours

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth

Gold (Or)Means: Generosity

Red (Gules)Means: Military strength

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)

“Original Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, DOUGLAS; 2nd and 3rd, MAR, all within a bordure engr. gu. (About 1542, the heart in the DOUGLAS coat is ensigned with an open crown gu., this being the earliest appearance of the crown in the insignia of any of the Douglas family). Arms borne by the first marquis in virtue of a royal warrant—Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a man's heart gu. ensigned with an imperial crown ppr. on a chief az. three stars of the field; 2nd and 3rd, MAR, all within a bordure or, charged with a double tressure flory counterflory gu”

DumfriesDrumlanrig · Dumfries, c. 1633

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Where the Douglas Arms Were Recorded

Dumfries

Map of Scotland showing where the Douglas arms are recorded

The Douglas arms were recorded in Dumfries, c. 1633.

Dumfriesshire was Scottish border country facing England across a disputed line. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.

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.

Region: Dumfries
Town: Drumlanrig
First recorded: 1633

Granting Authority for the Douglas Arms

Authority

Court of the Lord Lyon

c. 1318-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.

Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Britain when the Douglas arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Scotland

Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.

Granting authority: The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms: Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded: All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing: Recorded among the armigerous families of Dumfries.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion

heartSincerity, charity and true affection

mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above

Colours

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth

Red (Gules)Means: Military strength

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)

“Ar. a man's heart gu. ensigned with an imperial crown ppr. pierced by an arrow fessewise, the pheon towards the dexter also ppr. a chief az. thereon three mullets of the field”

KentBoughton Malherbe · Kent, c. 1875

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Where the Douglas Arms Were Recorded

Kent

Map of England showing where the Douglas arms are recorded

The Douglas arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1875.

Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.

Region: Kent
Town: Boughton Malherbe
First recorded: 1875