A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duchamp family of France.
Reg. 2712 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à deux étoiles d'or en chef et un croiss. du même en p.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Duchamp Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Duchamp arms are recorded
The Duchamp arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Duchamp 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Duchamp Family in France
The family name Duchamp is a classic example of a topographic surname, which means it was derived from the physical landscape where the earliest ancestors lived. In French, the name literally translates to "of the field," suggesting that the first people to carry this name were likely farmers or landowners who lived near a prominent open meadow or cultivated land. By 1663, records confirm that the family had established a firm presence in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. This area, nestled near the Jura Mountains, was known for its distinct culture and long history of independent governance before it officially became part of the French kingdom. Living in this rugged and mountainous borderland, the early Duchamp family members were likely shaped by the challenging terrain and the unique social structure of the region, which helped them establish deep roots that lasted for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du champ
of the field or from the open land
This name
Duchamprefers to a person who lived near or worked on a specific field
also spelled
Ducham
Dusham
Related arms
Gibonnaissame arms
Jamonièresame arms
Lenoirsame arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Les noms de famille de France, 1945
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de Franche-Comté, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
