A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duchemin family of France.
Reg. 1547 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'azur, ch. d'un duc (oiseau) d'or, et acc. de quatre pattes d'ours de sa., 2 en chef et 2 en p.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Duchemin Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Duchemin arms are recorded
The Duchemin arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Duchemin 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 France.
Origin & History of the Duchemin Family in France
The surname Duchemin is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people based on where they lived or worked. In French, the name translates literally to "of the path" or "of the way," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent road, a crossroads, or a well-traveled public track. By 1725, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who served as local guides, messengers, or laborers responsible for maintaining the rural pathways that connected isolated villages across the Breton countryside. As these families grew, they became deeply rooted in the local agricultural and social life of the province, passing the name down through generations as a reflection of their connection to the land and the routes that defined their community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
chemin
A path, way, or road derived from the Latin word caminus.
This name
DucheminRefers to someone who lived near a specific path or worked as a road surveyor.
also spelled
Duchemin-Maine
Chemin-Maine
Shemandoomain
Duchemin
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
Morvan, Françoise. Les archives de Bretagne. 2005
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
