A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duffield family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2119 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three doves sa”
BuckinghamBuckingham, c. 1620
Where the Duffield Arms Were Recorded
Buckingham
Map of England showing where the Duffield arms are recorded
The Duffield arms were recorded in Buckingham, c. 1620.
Buckinghamshire was quiet farming country on the road out of London. Court officials and lawyers bought manors there within easy reach of the capital, and a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Duffield 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 Buckingham.
Origin & History of the Duffield Family in England
The Duffield family name is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational surname for people who lived near a "duff field," or a field where doves were commonly found. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Buckingham, a historic market town in Buckinghamshire. During this period, the Duffields were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and mercantile life that defined the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the town, leaving behind records of their daily lives, property ownership, and civic contributions. This transition from a name describing a specific place to a family identity reflects the broader patterns of English migration and settlement during the late Renaissance, marking the Duffields as a family deeply connected to the development of the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three doves ar. membered gu”
IrelandMadmonham, c. 1645
Where the Duffield Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Duffield arms are recorded
The Duffield arms were recorded in Madmonham, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Duffield arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Duffield Family in Ireland
The Duffield family name has roots in Ireland that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Ireland was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, which often influenced the movement and settlement patterns of families arriving from England. The name itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a location in Derbyshire, England, meaning an open field near a deer park. When these early settlers arrived in Dublin, they likely integrated into the urban administrative and merchant classes that defined the city at the time. By establishing themselves in the capital during the 1640s, the Duffields became part of the complex social fabric of a city transitioning through a volatile era of Irish history. Their presence in official records from this time suggests that they were active participants in the civic and economic life of Dublin as the seventeenth century progressed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
duf-feld
Old English words for dove and open land or field.
This name
DuffieldAn inhabitant of a field frequented by doves or a location named after the bird.
also spelled
Duffeild
Duffild
Related arms
Hallrecorded with Duffield, same area
Ribaldrecorded with Duffield, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Buckinghamshire Archives, Parish Registers of Buckingham, 1558–1650
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
