A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dufresne family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5825 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois étoiles d'azur.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Dufresne Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Dufresne arms are recorded
The Dufresne arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Dufresne 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 Dufresne Family in France
The surname Dufresne is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on the landscape where they lived. In French, the name translates to "of the ash tree," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely resided near a prominent grove or a specific landmark defined by these trees. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Brittany region of France. Records confirm that members of the family were settled there by 1663, a time when many families in the area were deeply connected to the local agricultural and maritime economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, adapting to the unique cultural traditions and the distinct regional identity that defined Brittany during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un frêne de sin., posé sur un tertre du même. C.: un frêne de sin.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Dufresne Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Dufresne arms are recorded
The Dufresne arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Dufresne Family in Switzerland
The surname Dufresne is a topographical name of French origin that translates to "of the ash tree," suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent grove or a landmark tree. While the name is deeply rooted in French-speaking regions, members of the family established a significant presence in the city of Berne by 1745. During this period, Switzerland served as a crossroads for families moving across borders for trade, religious freedom, or professional opportunities. In the context of eighteenth-century Berne, the Dufresne family integrated into the local urban structure, likely participating in the guild systems or the administrative life of the city. Their migration into this Swiss canton highlights the movement of families who maintained their French identity while adapting to the social and political landscape of the Swiss Confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un frêne terrassé de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux fasces de gu. et au canton d'arg. ch. d'un étrier de sa. avec ses courroies du même.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Dufresne Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Dufresne arms are recorded
The Dufresne arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in France when the Dufresne arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Dufresne Family in Belgium
The name Dufresne is a topographical surname that originated in the French-speaking regions of Europe, meaning "of the ash tree." By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the Duchy of Brabant, a region that now spans parts of modern-day Belgium. During this period, the family lived within a society defined by complex social hierarchies and shifting political borders under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. Records from 1737 confirm that these individuals were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or merchant economies that sustained the towns of the Brabant province. As the family navigated life in this region, they adopted the linguistic and cultural customs of the area while maintaining their distinct ancestral name. Their presence in Brabant highlights the historical movement of families across borders in search of land, trade opportunities, and stability during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fraxinus
Latin term for the ash tree.
This name
DufresneRefers to someone who lived near or worked with ash trees.
also spelled
Dufrain
Dufrene
du Frayn
Related arms
du Fresnayvariant spelling
des Vignesrecorded with Dufresne, same area
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
