Map of France showing where the Dunbar arms are recorded
The Dunbar arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Dunbar 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 Dunbar Family in France
The history of the Dunbar name in France is deeply connected to the movement of people across the English Channel during the eighteenth century. While the name originated in Scotland, historical records confirm that family members were established in the region of Bretagne by 1725. During this period, France served as a destination for many families seeking new opportunities or fleeing political instability in the British Isles. Those who settled in Bretagne often integrated into the local society by adapting to the French language and administrative systems of the time. These early settlers helped bridge the cultural gap between their Scottish roots and their new life in western France. By maintaining their family identity while living in a new country, they became part of the diverse social fabric that defined the coastal provinces of France during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gu. a lion ramp. ar. within a bordure of the last charged with eight roses of the first; 2nd and 3rd, or, three cushions pendent within a double tressure flory counterflory gu”
WigtownMochrum · Wigtown, c. 1694
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Map of Scotland showing where the Dunbar arms are recorded
The Dunbar arms were recorded in Wigtown, c. 1694.
Wigtown was Scotland's south-western corner, farming country facing Ireland. Its lairds held small estates for generations, and long unbroken holding is what fills a register of 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 Scotland in this period.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in France when the Dunbar arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wigtown.
Origin & History of the Dunbar Family in Scotland
The Dunbar name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Scotland, originating from the ancient fortress town of Dunbar in East Lothian. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic words for fort and summit, reflecting the strategic importance of the coastal stronghold held by the Earls of Dunbar during the Middle Ages. These early leaders were among the most powerful figures in the Scottish kingdom, often acting as guardians of the borderlands against northern invasions. Over several centuries, branches of the family migrated away from the eastern coast and spread into other regions, including the southwestern areas of the country. By the late seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family had established a firm presence in Wigtown. This shift from the eastern fortifications to the western lowlands illustrates how the family adapted to the changing political and social climate of Scotland as they sought new opportunities for land and influence.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
vairProtection, and the winter fur
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
VairMeans: Protection
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per pale or and ar. three cushions, two and one, within a double tressure flory counterflory gu. all within a bordure vair”
DownORB · Down, c. 1833
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Map of Ireland showing where the Dunbar arms are recorded
The Dunbar arms were recorded in Down, c. 1833.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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.
William IV
Sovereign of the period
William IV
1830–1837
Reigning in France when the Dunbar 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 Down.
Origin & History of the Dunbar Family in Ireland
The Dunbar name has deep roots in the British Isles, but its presence in Ireland is most notably linked to the migration patterns of the early nineteenth century. While the name originated in Scotland, families bearing the surname established a firm presence in County Down by 1833. During this period, many families moved across the North Channel to seek new opportunities in the growing linen industry and agricultural sectors of Ulster. These early settlers in Down became part of a complex social landscape where Scottish and Irish traditions blended over time. By settling in this region, the Dunbar family became part of the historical fabric of Northern Ireland, contributing to the local community as the area underwent significant economic and social changes during the Victorian era.
Dunbar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dun Barr
Gaelic for fort or hill and summit or top.
This name
DunbarRefers to a person living at or near a fortified summit or castle.
also spelled
Dunbarr
Dunbare
Dunbarre
Related arms
Marchsame arms
Godardsimilar arms
Patricksimilar arms
Balfourrecorded with Dunbar, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bordureA difference between branches of one family
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
