A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duhan family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8051 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. en chef de deux roses d'arg.; au chef du sec., ch. d'un léopard de gu.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1529
Where the Duhan Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Duhan arms are recorded
The Duhan arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1529.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Duhan 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Duhan Family in France
The Duhan family name finds its historical roots in the northeastern region of France known as Lorraine. By the year 1529, members of the family were already established within this territory, which served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic cultures. During the sixteenth century, Lorraine was a sovereign duchy that experienced significant social and economic shifts due to its position along major European trade routes. Families living in this area often played roles in local administration or agriculture, adapting to the changing political landscape as the region navigated the tensions of the Reformation and the influence of neighboring powers. The Duhan name likely emerged as a way to identify these individuals within their local communities, reflecting the linguistic patterns of the time. As the family grew, they remained part of the fabric of rural and provincial life in Lorraine, contributing to the development of the region long before modern national borders were strictly defined.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or; au chef émanché de trois pièces de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un vol d'or, les plumes ext. de sa. (Arm. v. G.)”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Duhan Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Duhan arms are recorded
The Duhan arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 Duhan 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 Belgium.
Origin & History of the Duhan Family in Belgium
The Duhan family name holds deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a central hub of the Austrian Netherlands, serving as a crossroads for trade and agriculture that shaped the lives of local families. The name likely emerged from the linguistic blend of the region, reflecting the daily lives of people who navigated the complex social structures of the time. As the family established itself in this area, they became part of the local fabric of village and town life, participating in the labor and community traditions that defined the Belgian landscape. By settling in Brabant, early generations of the Duhan family contributed to the long-standing history of the region, leaving behind a legacy that is tied to the development of local parishes and rural society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
du
A preposition meaning of or from indicating origin or place.
This name
DuhanA locative surname denoting someone who originated from a place called Han.
also spelled
Duhann
Duhane
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cabourdin, Guy. Histoire de la Lorraine. 1991
Martin, Jean-Paul. La vie quotidienne en Lorraine au XVIe siècle. 1984
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales de la Moselle, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
