Map of France showing where the Borkin arms are recorded
The Borkin arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Borkin 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Borkin Family in France
The family name Borkin traces its historical roots to the eastern region of Franche-Comté, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a unique crossroads of culture and politics, situated between the Kingdom of France and the territories of the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this region often navigated complex social changes as the province transitioned from Spanish rule to French control during the reign of Louis XIV. The name itself likely evolved from local linguistic patterns common to the Jura Mountains, reflecting the distinct agrarian and trade-based lifestyle of the people living in these rural communities. By documenting their presence in official registers during this period, the early Borkin family established a firm connection to the administrative and social life of the Franche-Comté province, marking the beginning of their documented lineage in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burchard
Derived from the Germanic elements for castle or fort and hardy.
This name
BorkinA patronymic surname originating from the personal name Burchard, signifying a strong protector.
also spelled
Borquine
Borkin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Fester, Richard, Die Enstehung der Familiennamen, 1910
Gutton, Jean-Pierre, La société et les gens en Franche-Comté au XVIIe siècle, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
