A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Courtin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3483 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
legStrength and swiftness
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'azur à trois jambes d'arg., posées en pairle et aboutées en coeur; au chef de gu., ch. d'un lévrier courant d'arg., coll. et bouclé d'or.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Courtin Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Courtin arms are recorded
The Courtin arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Courtin 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 Courtin Family in France
The surname Courtin has deep roots in the social fabric of early modern France, where it functioned as a descriptive name often linked to the physical stature or personality of an ancestor. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the capital city of Paris. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Courtin family were active participants in the urban life of the city during the reign of King Louis XIV. During this era, the name was associated with individuals who served in various professional capacities, including roles within the legal system and the royal administration. As the family grew in influence, they became part of the rising middle class that helped shape the cultural and political landscape of Paris. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who migrated toward the center of French power to pursue new opportunities in trade, law, and government service.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au lion d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'or au chev. de sin. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° trois pl. d'aut.: d'or, de sin. et d'arg.; l. d'arg. et de gu.; 2° le lion, iss.; l. d'or et de sin.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1762
Where the Courtin Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Courtin arms are recorded
The Courtin arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1762.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Courtin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Courtin Family in Germany
The family name Courtin finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive surname during the transition toward fixed family naming conventions. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Courtin family were established in the region of Bavaria. During this period, Bavaria was a collection of territories undergoing significant social and administrative changes under the rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Families like the Courtins often lived in agrarian or market-focused communities where their name likely served to identify their specific household or social standing within the local parish. As the family settled into the Bavarian landscape by 1762, they became part of a complex social structure defined by regional trade, local church records, and the evolving bureaucracy of the Holy Roman Empire. These early ancestors contributed to the local history of their villages by participating in the daily economic and religious life that defined eighteenth-century German society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curtus
Latin term meaning short or abbreviated.
This name
CourtinA nickname for a person of short stature or someone with a brief manner.
also spelled
Courtyn
Kurtin
Cortin
Curtin
Curtine
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Moreri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1759
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series MC
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
legStrength and swiftness
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
legStrength and swiftness
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
