A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duchane family of France.
Reg. 4854 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la croix d'arg., acc. en chef de deux flanchis d'or et en p. de deux bes. du même.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Duchane Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Duchane arms are recorded
The Duchane 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 Duchane 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 Duchane Family in France
The family name Duchane traces its roots to the historic region of Franche-Comté in eastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was then a territory known for its rugged mountains and dense forests near the border of Switzerland. The name likely developed as a descriptive term for people who lived near an oak tree or a small grove, as the root word reflects the French term for an oak. During the seventeenth century, families in this region often worked as skilled laborers or farmers who contributed to the local economy of the Jura Mountains. Because Franche-Comté was a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange, the Duchane family lived through a period of significant transition as the region moved from Spanish rule to become a permanent part of France. These early ancestors helped shape the local community by maintaining deep ties to the land and participating in the daily life of their mountain villages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du chêne
Derived from the French word for an oak tree.
This name
DuchaneA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a prominent oak tree.
also spelled
Duchane
Dushan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavoux, Jean-Claude, Histoire de la Franche-Comté, 1989
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux et état civil, 1663
Fohlen, Claude, Histoire de Besançon, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
