A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Comyn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7553 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois gerbes d'or.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Comyn Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Comyn arms are recorded
The Comyn 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 Comyn 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 Comyn Family in France
The family name Comyn has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area. The name is often associated with the broader migration patterns of families who moved between the British Isles and the French coast during times of political and social change. In Brittany, the Comyn family integrated into the local society, often appearing in parish registers and administrative documents that tracked land ownership and community roles. These early records from 1725 show that the family held a stable position in the region, reflecting a history of settlement that spanned generations. By studying these local archives, historians can trace how the family maintained its identity while adapting to the unique cultural traditions of the Breton people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three garbs or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Comyn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Comyn arms are recorded
The Comyn arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Comyn 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 England.
Origin & History of the Comyn Family in England
The Comyn family name has deep roots in English history, with early records placing members of the lineage in the city of York by the year 1620. While the name is often associated with influential figures in medieval Britain, the branch residing in Yorkshire during the early seventeenth century lived through a period of significant social and economic change. During this time, families in northern England were often involved in local trade, agriculture, or the developing administrative roles within growing urban centers like York. As the seventeenth century progressed, these families became part of the fabric of local society, contributing to the professional and civic life of the region. By examining the presence of the Comyn name in York, we gain insight into how families established themselves in specific English communities and maintained their identity across generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cumin
A fragrant spice plant used in cooking and medicine.
This name
ComynA nickname for a person who traded in or grew the aromatic spice plant.
also spelled
Comin
Comynn
Cumming
Cummings
Cumin
Related arms
Cummingvariant spelling
Bonnellrecorded with Comyn, same area
Borrellrecorded with Comyn, same area
Gumleyrecorded with Comyn, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 1991
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
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wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
