Map of France showing where the Duterte arms are recorded
The Duterte arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Duterte 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 Duterte Family in France
The family name Duterte traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1663. The name itself is likely a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived or worked. In the French language, the prefix "du" indicates "of the" or "from the," while "terte" refers to a small hill or a mound of earth. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were people who lived on or near a prominent hill in the Breton countryside. Over time, this descriptive label became a permanent family name that was passed down through generations as the family moved and grew within the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
D'Hutier
Derived from the Germanic word for a shelter or protective hut.
This name
DuterteA topographic surname indicating a person who lived near a small dwelling or hut.
also spelled
Duterter
Dutert
Dutertra
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Quimper
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
