A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Doyen family of France.
Reg. 5785 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Parti d'or et d'arg.; au chev. de gu., br. sur le tout, ch. de deux lions d'or. C.: un bras arm., tenant une épée, le tout au nat. S.: deux lévriers coll., avec leur liesse.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1628
Where the Doyen Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Doyen arms are recorded
The Doyen arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1628.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Doyen 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Doyen Family in France
The surname Doyen originates from the French word for a dean, a title historically used for both high-ranking church officials and leaders of local administrative districts. By the early seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the Lorraine region, a territory known for its complex history and strategic position between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Records from 1628 confirm that members of the Doyen family were active participants in the social and professional life of this area during a period of significant regional upheaval. As the name evolved from a professional title into a hereditary surname, it likely reflected the status of ancestors who held positions of responsibility within their communities. These early family members were part of the foundational fabric of Lorraine, contributing to the local economy and governance long before the region was fully integrated into the French kingdom.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Decanus
A leader of ten people or a religious official.
This name
DoyenA title for a dean or the senior member of a group or guild.
also spelled
Doyenne
Doyenn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bastien, Henri. Dictionnaire historique et généalogique des familles de Lorraine. 1925
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle. Série B: Cours et juridictions. 1628
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
