Map of France showing where the Dubey arms are recorded
The Dubey arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's 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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Dubey 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Dubey Family in France
The family name Dubey traces its roots to the historical province of Forez in east-central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this region. The name itself is thought to be a topographic surname, which means it was likely given to people based on where they lived or worked. In the local dialect of the time, the prefix "du" combined with "bey" often referred to someone living near a specific landmark or a small hill. During the seventeenth century, families in Forez were typically tied to the land through agriculture or local trades. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the rural communities that defined the French countryside before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubois
Derived from the French term for a forest or woodland.
This name
DubeyA topographical surname denoting someone who lived near or worked in a forest.
also spelled
Dubie
Dubee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Forestié, Édouard. Essai sur les noms de famille du Forez. 1892
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
