A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the du Barry family of France.
Reg. 1634 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 cerf couché au nat., l'épaule ch. d'une quarte-feuille d'azur.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1512
Where the du Barry Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the du Barry arms are recorded
The du Barry arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1512.
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 XII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XII of France
1498–1515
Reigning in France when the du Barry 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 du Barry Family in France
The family name du Barry finds its historical roots in the eastern French region of Lorraine. By the early sixteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1512. The name itself is topographical, which means it likely described a family living near a specific landmark or a low-lying area. In the local dialect of the time, the term referred to a person residing near a rampart or a fortified barrier. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social structure of Lorraine, moving from their initial settlements into various roles within the regional administration and land management. This transition helped the family maintain a consistent presence in the historical record as they expanded their influence throughout the French provinces over the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barre
A barrier, gate, or defensive obstacle made of wood or iron.
This name
du BarryRefers to someone who lived near a gate, barrier, or toll point.
also spelled
Dubary
Dubarrie
Dubaree
Related arms
Cothérelsame arms
Barry (du) de Colomévariant spelling
Barry (du) de Mervalvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Benoît, Albert, Histoire de la Lorraine, 1905
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
