Map of France showing where the Coffin arms are recorded
The Coffin arms were recorded in Canada, 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 Coffin 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 Coffin Family in France
The family name Coffin has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1725. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, as was common for surnames developing in rural French provinces during the Middle Ages. In the context of Breton history, families like the Coffins often lived in small agricultural communities where they were closely tied to the land and local parish life. By the early eighteenth century, these individuals were part of a stable social fabric in western France, often working as skilled tradespeople or farmers. Their presence in Brittany suggests a long history of integration into the local culture, language, and traditions of the region before some members eventually migrated to other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. semée of crosses crosslet or, three bezants”
DevonPortledge · Devon, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Coffin arms are recorded
The Coffin arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Coffin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Coffin Family in England
The Coffin family name has deep roots in the southwestern region of England, particularly within the county of Devon. By the early seventeenth century, the family was well-established in this area, with records confirming their presence there by 1620. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old French word "cofin," which originally referred to a small basket or a chest. Over time, this term evolved into a surname that likely described a person who made or sold these containers. As the family grew in Devon, they became closely tied to the local landscape and community life. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English families who lived in rural parishes for generations before many members eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Coffin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cophinus
A Latin term referring to a basket or a wicker container.
This name
CoffinAn occupational name for a basket maker or a merchant who sold wicker goods.
also spelled
Cofin
Koffin
Coffyn
Related arms
Coffynvariant spelling
Agneauxrecorded with Coffin, same area
Chassin de Rouffiatrecorded with Coffin, same area
Dailleboustrecorded with Coffin, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Archives civiles)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
