A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duclo family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9803 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au léopard d'arg.; au pal losangé d'or et de sa., br. sur le tout.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Duclo Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Duclo arms are recorded
The Duclo arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Duclo 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Duclo Family in France
The family name Duclo finds its historical roots in the rugged and culturally distinct region of Bretagne, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this province, which was known for its unique traditions and strong local identity. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive term linked to the landscape or the specific location where the family resided, as was common practice in rural French communities during the seventeenth century. Living in Bretagne during this period meant the family was part of a society deeply connected to the Atlantic coast and the complex social structures of the old French provinces. These early ancestors were likely involved in the agricultural or maritime life that defined the region, contributing to the local economy and community development long before the name spread to other parts of the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
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 un boeuf pass. d'or. C.: une tête et col de boeuf d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Duclo Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Duclo arms are recorded
The Duclo arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield 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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Duclo Family in Switzerland
The family name Duclo first appears in the historical records of Bern, Switzerland, during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1745, members of the family were firmly established within the city, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined the Swiss cantons of that era. The name itself suggests a connection to the French-speaking regions of Europe, reflecting the linguistic diversity that has long characterized Swiss society. During this period, families in Bern often held specific roles in the local guilds or administrative offices, which allowed them to integrate into the social fabric of the city. While the name remains relatively rare, its presence in the archives of Bern indicates that the family was part of the stable, middle-class population that helped maintain the city's growth and stability during the Enlightenment. These early residents laid the foundation for the family's long-term history in the region, marking their transition from newcomers to established members of the Swiss community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clos
An enclosed field or vineyard surrounded by a wall or hedge.
This name
DucloRefers to someone who lived near or worked within an enclosed vineyard.
also spelled
Duclo
Ducloz
Duclot
Ducloe
Duklo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Galliou, Patrick, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2005
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bullValour and generosity
