A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Douse family of Ireland.
Reg. 7825 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per fess az. and gu. on a fess dancettée ar. three mullets of the first, in chief a stag's head cabossed, betw. the attires a pheon, and in base a pheon betw. two escallops all of the third”
Irelandc. 1605
Where the Douse Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Douse arms are recorded
The Douse arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1605.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Douse arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Douse Family in Ireland
The surname Douse has roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence confirming that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1605. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in urban centers during the late medieval and early modern periods. As Dublin grew into a bustling hub of trade and administration, families like the Douses became part of the city’s evolving social fabric. They were often involved in the mercantile and craft guilds that defined the economic life of the capital at that time. By settling in such a central location, the family was positioned to participate in the significant cultural and political changes that shaped Ireland throughout the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An Old Irish word meaning dark or black.
This name
DouseA descriptive surname referring to a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Dowse
Dows
Related arms
Dowsevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the Patent Rolls of the Chancery of Ireland
Dublin City Library and Archive, Ancient Records of Dublin
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Gilbert, John T., Calendar of Ancient Records of Dublin, in the Possession of the Municipal Corporation of that City, 1889
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
