Map of France showing where the Dutra arms are recorded
The Dutra arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Dutra 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Dutra Family in France
The family name Dutra carries a rich history that traces back to the northern region of Picardie in France during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its agricultural productivity and strategic importance near the border. The name itself is often associated with the linguistic evolution of French surnames, likely originating as a topographic identifier that described where a person lived or worked. As families moved through the changing landscapes of early modern Europe, the Dutra name became a marker of their specific regional identity. Over time, the family expanded beyond their original home, carrying their heritage into new territories and helping to shape the cultural fabric of the communities they joined.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
De Ultra
Latin phrase meaning from beyond or from the other side.
This name
DutraA locative surname denoting someone who lived beyond a specific landmark or river.
also spelled
Dautrai
Dotray
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Somme, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Boulanger, Jacques, Histoire de la Picardie, 1928
Mansion, Joseph, Les noms de famille en France, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
