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'arg. au chev. d'azur, acc. en chef de deux étoiles de sa. et en p. d'un lion du même.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durie family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au chev. d'azur, acc. en chef de deux étoiles de sa. et en p. d'un lion du même.”
The Durie arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 name Durie traces its roots to the southern regions of France, where the family established a notable presence in the city of Toulouse by the mid-seventeenth century. During the year 1663, records indicate that members of the family were integrated into the local social and professional fabric of this historic hub. The name itself is often linked to the French word dur, which suggests a lineage associated with strength or resilience. As the family navigated the complex political and religious landscape of the Languedoc region, they became part of the local administrative and merchant classes that defined urban life in the 1600s. Their documented history in Toulouse highlights a period of stability and growth before many families of that era began to migrate further across Europe. By maintaining a home in such a prominent intellectual and trade center, the early Duries were positioned to participate in the significant cultural shifts occurring within France during the reign of Louis XIV.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. a chev. betw. three crescents ar”
The Durie arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1748.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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.
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.
The family name Durie is deeply rooted in the geography of Fife, a region in eastern Scotland where the name has been documented for centuries. The name is locational, meaning it likely originated from the lands of Durie near the town of Leven. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was well-established in this area, playing a role in the local community during a time of significant social and agricultural change. Early members of the family often held positions of responsibility within the parish, contributing to the local economy and the development of the Fife landscape. While the family name is tied to this specific Scottish territory, it reflects the broader history of clans and families who built their lives around the fertile soil and coastal trade of the Firth of Forth. Through these generations, the name became a permanent part of the local heritage, linking the family to the historical evolution of Fife.
Old French term referring to a stream or a riverbank.

