A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cavina family of France.
Reg. 0051 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec., de gu. à une grappe de raisins au nat., et d'azur à une tour d'arg., à la croix d'or, br. sur l'écartelé. C.: une croisette pattée, entre quatre pl. d'aut.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Cavina arms are recorded
The Cavina arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Cavina 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 Cavina Family in France
The Cavina family name carries a history deeply rooted in the regional transitions of eighteenth-century France. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne. During this period, the region was characterized by a complex social structure where families often moved between rural parishes and growing coastal towns to support the local maritime and agricultural economy. The name itself reflects the linguistic patterns common to the area, where surnames were frequently adapted to fit local dialects and phonetic styles. As these early ancestors settled into their communities, they became part of the fabric of Breton life, contributing to the agricultural development and the distinct cultural identity that defined the province during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cavus
Latin term meaning hollow, concave, or a cavity.
This name
CavinaA topographic name for someone who lived in a hollow or valley.
also spelled
Kavin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Familles et notaires)
Delumeau, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1969
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cross symbolChristian faith and service
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
