From the dolphin heraldic emblem of the Dauphiné lords — when their territory passed to the French Crown, 'Dauphin' became the heir's title.
The eldest son of the King of France; the heir to the French throne.
From 'Dauphin,' the title of the lords of the Dauphiné region, from Old French 'dalphin' (dolphin). The lords of Dauphiné used a dolphin as their heraldic emblem. When the last lord sold his province to the French king in 1349, the title 'Dauphin' transferred to the heir to the throne. Key roots: delphinus (Latin: "dolphin").
The heir to the French throne was called 'The Dolphin.' The lords of Dauphiné used a dolphin on their coat of arms. When the last lord bequeathed his province to the Crown in 1349, the deal required the French heir to always bear the title 'Dauphin' (Dolphin). So for 450 years, every French crown prince — including