| Term | Description |
| Damasked | A field or charge covered with small squares |
| Dancette | Divided into large zigzags; resembling the zigzag molding peculiar to Norman architecture |
| Debased | Turned over; inverted |
| Debruised | Applied to a bend when placed over an animal in such a manner as to seem to restrain its freedom |
| Decrescent | Said of the moon when in her decrement. When the crescent is borne with its points toward the sinister side of the shield it is termed decrescent. |
| Demi | Said of any charge borne half, as a demi-lion. (Also written deny.) |
| Descending | Said of an animal or bird the head of which is represented turned toward the base of the shield |
| Dexter | The right; situated on the right. The dexter side of the shield is that opposite the left hand of the |
| Diapered | A shield diapered is one covered with a ground pattern, generally of squares or lozenges, with a flower scroll work or other ornament in each compartment. The idea is supposed to have been copied from the linen cloths of Ypress |
| Difference | Some figure or mark added to a coat of arms to distinguish one family from another. Modern marks of difference, or Marks of Cadence. See cadency |
| Disarmed | Applied to a bird or beast deprived of claws, teeth or beak |
| Disclosed | Term used to describe a bird when its wings are spread open on each side, but the points downward |
| Dismembered | Applied to birds having neither feet nor legs; also, to animals whose members are separated |
| Displayed | Said of any bird of prey borne erect, with the wings expanded. Applied especially to the eagle. |
| Dog | The dog figures in heraldry in various forms and under different names. The alaund, or hunting dog, seems to have been the most popular. The dog is generally blazoned as a talbot. |
| Dolphin | The dolphin is heraldically a fish, irregardless of what it may be zoologically or astronomically. When used as a charge it may be extended and natant or hauriant, etc. |
| Dormant | In a sleeping posture. |
| Dragon | The dragon is of ancient date and played a prominent part in early romance, though little used in English heraldry. He is usually depicted with four legs and wings, a long barbed tail, usually knotted, and a body protected by scales. When the dragon is drawn without wings he is called a lindworm; without feet, a serpent; when he hangs by the head, it represents a conquered dragon. |
| Dragonnee | A fabulous beast, the upper part resembling a lion, and the lower part the wings and tail of a dragon |