Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un coeur d'arg., cour. d'or, acc. de trois bes. d'arg., rangés en p.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dupuis family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un coeur d'arg., cour. d'or, acc. de trois bes. d'arg., rangés en p.”
The Dupuis arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's 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.
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.
The surname Dupuis is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In French, the name translates literally to "of the well" or "from the well," suggesting that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely resided near a prominent village well or a deep water source. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that the family had established a strong presence in the Forez region of central France. During this era, life in Forez was deeply tied to the land, and families often adopted names that reflected the geography of their specific farmsteads or hamlets. Because wells were essential gathering points for rural communities, the name became a practical way to distinguish one family from another in a growing population. As these individuals moved through the local parishes and kept records of their births and marriages, the name became a permanent marker of their history in the French countryside.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De sa. à un senestrochère arm., tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; au chef parti, à dextre d'arg. à cinq croisettes pattées de gu. 2, 1 et 2, à sen. d'or à l'aigle de sa. C.: le senestrochère.”
The Dupuis 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.
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.
The family name Dupuis is a classic example of a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In French, the name translates to "from the well" or "from the bridge," indicating that the earliest ancestors likely resided near a prominent landmark or a specific water source. By the year 1737, records confirm that members of the Dupuis family were well-established in the Brabant region of present-day Belgium. During this period, Brabant was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, and families like the Dupuis were often integrated into the local community as farmers, tradespeople, or skilled laborers. Because the name was descriptive rather than tied to a single noble lineage, it emerged independently in various villages across the region. This allowed the family to put down deep roots in the local landscape, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the Belgian countryside for generations.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un puits d'arg. en p., acc. de trois étoiles (5) du même, rangées en chef.”
The Dupuis arms were recorded in Genevois, c. 1745.
Genevois was Alpine country south of Geneva, held in small estates by families who stayed put. Land there passed down the same line for centuries, and long tenure counted for more than wealth.
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.
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.
The surname Dupuis is a topographical name that originated in France, meaning "from the well" or "from the bridge." By the mid-eighteenth century, the name had established a firm presence in the Genevois region of Switzerland. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the local agricultural or artisanal communities that defined the area near Lake Geneva. In 1745, records confirm that members of the Dupuis family were active participants in the social and economic life of this border region. These early settlers were likely drawn to the area by the unique political stability and trade opportunities offered by the Republic of Geneva. Over time, the family became deeply rooted in the local culture, contributing to the development of the Genevois landscape through their work and community involvement.
Derived from the Latin word puteus meaning a well or pit.


