Map of England showing where the Du Cane arms are recorded
The Du Cane arms were recorded in England, 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 Du Cane 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 Du Cane Family in England
The family name Du Cane originated in France and is linked to the historical region of Flanders. The name is derived from the French word "caisne," which refers to an oak tree, suggesting that the earliest ancestors may have lived near a prominent forest or a specific landmark. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated across the English Channel to escape religious persecution and seek new opportunities. Records confirm that the family was well-established in the city of York by 1620, where they integrated into the local merchant class. This relocation was part of a larger movement of Huguenot families who brought their skills in trade and manufacturing to England, eventually helping to shape the economic landscape of their new home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du chene
Old French for of the oak tree.
This name
Du CaneA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent oak tree.
also spelled
Ducaine
Dukane
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Agnew, David C. A., Protestant Exiles from France in the Reign of Louis XIV, 1871
The National Archives, Kew, Letters of Denization and Acts of Naturalization for Aliens in England and Ireland, 1603–1700
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1620
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