A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duane family of England.
Reg. 9541 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. a cat pass. and in chief two crescents sa”
EnglandLincoln's Inn, c. 1620
Where the Duane Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Duane arms are recorded
The Duane arms were recorded in Lincoln's Inn, 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 Duane 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 Duane Family in England
The family name Duane has deep roots that trace back to the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, where it originated as a variation of the name Ó Dubháin. This name is derived from the word dubh, which means black or dark, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their dark hair or features. By the year 1620, members of the family were firmly established in the city of York, England. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, making it a likely destination for families moving across the Irish Sea. These early settlers were part of a broader movement of people who brought their unique cultural identities into the English landscape. As they integrated into the local community, the spelling of their name often shifted to fit the phonetic patterns of the English language, eventually settling into the form recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An Old Irish word meaning dark or black.
This name
DuaneDerived from a Gaelic term signifying a dark-complexioned or swarthy individual.
also spelled
Duaine
Dwayne
Dwayn
Related arms
O'Duanavariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
