A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dugué family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3753 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 croix engr. de sa.”
Francec. 1573
Where the Dugué Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Dugué arms are recorded
The Dugué arms were recorded in France, c. 1573.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Dugué 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 Dugué Family in France
The family name Dugué finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of Brittany, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the year 1573. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic fabric of the region, reflecting the linguistic evolution of the French language in western provinces. Families carrying this name often lived as landholders or local officials, participating in the complex administrative life of the Breton countryside. As the sixteenth century progressed, the Dugué family moved through the shifting political landscape of France, adapting to the changing laws and regional customs that defined life under the French monarchy. Their presence in early records suggests they were part of a growing class of families who helped manage local estates and trade during a time of significant cultural transition in Brittany.
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
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 au chev. d'or, acc. de trois étoiles (5) d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Dugué Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Dugué arms are recorded
The Dugué 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 Dugué Family in Switzerland
The Dugué family name carries a history rooted in the cultural intersections of Western Europe, finding a notable foothold in the Swiss city of Bern by 1745. While the name is often associated with French linguistic origins, its presence in the Swiss Confederation suggests a migration pattern common among families seeking new opportunities in the urban centers of the eighteenth century. During this era, Bern acted as a significant hub for trade and administration, attracting individuals who integrated into the local social fabric through skilled labor or civic service. By establishing themselves in this region, members of the Dugué family became part of the complex demographic shifts that defined the Swiss landscape during the Enlightenment. Their transition into Bernese society reflects the broader movement of people across borders, where families adapted their traditions to the unique political and social environment of the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du gué
A crossing point over a body of water or stream.
This name
DuguéRefers to a person who lived near a ford or a river crossing.
also spelled
du Guay
du Gay
Related arms
Passama de Labusquièresimilar arms
Duguayvariant spelling
Gué (du) de Bagnolsvariant spelling
Gué (du) du Perriervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1974
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
