A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ducey family of England.
Reg. 5012 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, two lions pass. guard. gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ducey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ducey arms are recorded
The Ducey 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 Ducey 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 Ducey Family in England
The family name Ducey has deep roots that connect to the historic city of York in Northern England. By the year 1620, members of the Ducey family were already established residents in this region, which was a major center for trade and religious life at the time. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older surnames that originated in France before crossing the English Channel. During the early seventeenth century, families like the Duceys often lived in bustling urban centers where they worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants. Because York was a key hub for northern commerce, these early family members likely played a role in the local economy and social life of the city. Their presence in the historical record during this period shows that they were part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the development of northern English communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Douce
An Old French adjective meaning sweet, pleasant, or gentle.
This name
DuceyA surname derived from a nickname for a person with a sweet or gentle disposition.
also spelled
Ducy
Ducey
Duce
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
