A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Corvin family of France.
Reg. 8863 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à deux épées de sa., passées en saut., acc. en chef d'un oiseau du même, le vol levé.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Corvin Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Corvin arms are recorded
The Corvin arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Corvin 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Corvin Family in France
The family name Corvin carries a rich history that traces back to the vibrant region of Flanders during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was a major hub for trade and cultural exchange in Europe. The name itself is often linked to linguistic roots suggesting a connection to the raven, a bird frequently used in ancient naming traditions to symbolize wisdom or keen sight. As the family lived in Flanders, they likely navigated the complex social and economic shifts of the Low Countries during a time of significant political change. Their presence in this region suggests they were part of a community that valued craftsmanship and local commerce, helping to anchor the name in the historical landscape of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corvus
A genus of birds including crows and ravens.
This name
CorvinDerived from the Latin word for raven, often used as a nickname for someone with dark hair or features.
also spelled
Korvin
Corvyn
Corvinius
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te Gent), Parochieregisters van het Bisdom Gent
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te Brugge), Stadsarchief van Brugge, Poortersboeken
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Draye, Henri, Nederlandse familienamen: een overzicht van hun ontstaan en ontwikkeling, 1952
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
