A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duguay family of France.
Reg. 1747 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à un cheval d'arg.; au chef d'or.”
Ile-de-FranceIle-de-France, c. 1663
Where the Duguay Arms Were Recorded
Ile-de-France
Map of France showing where the Duguay arms are recorded
The Duguay arms were recorded in Ile-de-France, c. 1663.
Ile-de-France is the country around Paris, and proximity to the court mattered. Families who served the crown were rewarded with land near it, and land near the capital carried arms almost as a matter of course.
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 Duguay 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 Ile-de-France.
Origin & History of the Duguay Family in France
The family name Duguay originates from the French language and is a topographic surname, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a specific landmark. The name is derived from the phrase "du gué," which translates to "of the ford" or "from the river crossing." By the mid-seventeenth century, the Duguay family had established a notable presence in the Ile-de-France region surrounding Paris. In 1663, members of this family were active participants in the social and economic life of the area during a period of significant expansion under the French monarchy. As the family grew, some individuals eventually migrated across the Atlantic to participate in the development of New France, carrying their name and heritage into North America. This transition marked the beginning of the family's long history on a new continent while maintaining its roots in the traditions of their French ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du gué
A crossing point over a body of water or stream.
This name
DuguayRefers to a person who lived near or by a ford or river crossing.
also spelled
Duguaye
Duguai
du Gay
Related arms
Duguévariant spelling
du Gueyvariant spelling
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
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Library and Archives Canada, Fonds du Ministère des Colonies, série C11A (Correspondance générale, Canada)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
