A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Couzin family of France.
Reg. 7191 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef d'une étoile d'or; au 2 d'arg. à une tour d'azur, ouv. et aj. de sa., accostée de deux lévriers ramp. et affr. de gu., celui à sen. tenant une épée au nat.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Couzin Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Couzin arms are recorded
The Couzin 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 Couzin 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 Couzin Family in France
The family name Couzin originates from the French word for cousin, which was often used as a descriptive nickname in medieval society to identify a person’s relationship to a prominent local figure or to denote a friendly, familiar personality. By the early 18th century, the family established a firm presence in the province of Bretagne, a region known for its strong cultural identity and distinct maritime history. During this period, families in Bretagne were deeply connected to the local parish system, where records of births, marriages, and deaths were meticulously kept by the church. Living in this rugged coastal area, members of the Couzin family likely participated in the traditional agricultural and seafaring trades that defined the Breton economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of their local villages, contributing to the unique customs and language that have characterized the people of Bretagne for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
consobrinus
Latin term meaning a cousin or the child of a mother's sibling.
This name
CouzinA surname historically used to denote a cousin or a close relative by blood.
also spelled
Cousin
Koozin
Related arms
Cousinvariant spelling
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
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
