A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dynan family of France.
Reg. 6315 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la croix ancrée d'arg., ch. de cinq mouch. d'herm. de sa.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Dynan Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Dynan arms are recorded
The Dynan arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Dynan 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Dynan Family in France
The family name Dynan traces its roots to the coastal region of Brittany in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this historic province. The name is closely linked to the medieval town of Dinan, which served as a significant center for trade and military defense during the Middle Ages. Families often adopted the names of their home towns or local parishes to identify themselves as they moved through the region. As the Dynan family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the agricultural and maritime life that defined the Breton landscape. Their presence in 17th-century records suggests a long-standing connection to the land and the distinct cultural traditions of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dinan
Derived from the Breton word din meaning a fortified hill or fortress.
This name
DynanA habitational name referring to someone originating from the town of Dinan in Brittany, France.
also spelled
Dinane
Dinann
Dynan
Dinen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Poterie, Barthélemy Amédée, Histoire de Dinan, 1843
Ogée, Jean, Dictionnaire historique et géographique de la province de Bretagne, 1778
Archives départementales des Côtes-d'Armor, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
