Map of France showing where the du Casse arms are recorded
The du Casse arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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 du Casse 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the du Casse Family in France
The family name Du Casse originates from the Gascony region of southwestern France, specifically within the historic province of Guyenne. The name is derived from the Gascon dialect word "casse," which refers to an oak tree. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent oak or in a wooded area, leading neighbors to identify them by their surroundings. By 1663, records confirm that the family was well-established in the region, where they were deeply integrated into the local social and economic life of the French countryside. As the family grew, members became known for their service in maritime and military roles, which helped spread the name beyond their ancestral roots in Guyenne to other parts of the French empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Casse
Derived from the Old French verb casser meaning to break.
This name
du CasseRefers to someone who lived near a broken or cleared piece of land.
also spelled
Ducas
Dukas
Related arms
Ducasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux de Guyenne, 1663
Nègre, Ernest, Toponymie générale de la France, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
