Map of France showing where the Duval arms are recorded
The Duval arms were recorded in Paris, 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.
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 Duval 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 Duval Family in France
The surname Duval originated in France as a topographic name, which means it was used to describe where a person lived. The name is a combination of the French words "du" and "val," which translate to "of the valley." This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely resided in a low-lying area or a river valley. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Duval family were well-established in Paris. During this period, the city was the center of French culture and administration, and families living there were often involved in the trades, crafts, or legal professions that kept the capital running. As the family grew, they became part of the urban fabric of Paris, contributing to the history of a city that was rapidly expanding under the reign of King Louis XIV.
Duval Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
val
A valley or low-lying area of land.
This name
DuvalDerived from the French phrase meaning of the valley, denoting someone who lived there.
also spelled
Val
Duwall
Duvaul
Duvaull
Related arms
Valvariant spelling
Bigotrecorded with Duval, same area
Coquet de Gennevillerecorded with Duval, same area
des Pommaresrecorded with Duval, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
