A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durante family of England.
Reg. 2882 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a fesse dancettée ar. in chief three fleurs-de-lis of the second”
DerbyDerby, c. 1620
Where the Durante Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Durante arms are recorded
The Durante arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Durante arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Derby.
Origin & History of the Durante Family in England
The surname Durante originates from the medieval Italian word *durante*, which means enduring or steadfast. It was often used as a given name to express a parent's hope that their child would possess a strong and lasting character. Over time, this name transitioned into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt permanent identifiers to distinguish themselves within their communities. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Durante family had migrated from their Mediterranean roots and established a presence in the English town of Derby by 1620. This movement reflects the broader patterns of European migration during the Renaissance, as individuals traveled across borders for trade, religious freedom, or new economic opportunities. Settling in a bustling market town like Derby suggests that these early family members were likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, helping to shape the social fabric of the region during a period of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Durans
Latin for enduring, lasting, or remaining.
This name
DuranteA surname indicating a person who is steadfast, persistent, or long-lasting in character.
also spelled
Durand
Durante
Durants
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Smith, Richard, The History of Derby: From the Earliest Times to the Present, 1890
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby Parish Registers: St. Alkmund’s Church, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
