A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6671 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois fasces de gu.; à la bord. engr. du même.”
FranceBourbonnais, c. 1663
Where the Fin Arms Were Recorded
Bourbonnais
Map of France showing where the Fin arms are recorded
The Fin arms were recorded in Bourbonnais, 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 Fin 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 Fin Family in France
The family name Fin has deep roots in the historical province of Bourbonnais, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the region was characterized by a rural economy centered on agriculture and the management of feudal lands under the French monarchy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word "fin" in French often referred to someone who was clever, sharp, or refined in their character. Families in the Bourbonnais area during the seventeenth century were frequently tied to the land through tenant farming or local trade, and the survival of these early records suggests a family that was well-integrated into the social fabric of their village. As the family grew, they likely participated in the local customs and religious life of the Bourbonnais countryside, contributing to the development of the region during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a crane without the head ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Fin Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Fin arms are recorded
The Fin arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Fin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Fin Family in Scotland
The surname Fin, often appearing as a variation of the Gaelic name Fionn, carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Scotland. While the name is associated with ancient legends of heroes, its documented presence in the urban centers of the eighteenth century highlights the family’s transition into the professional and civic life of the nation. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Fin family were established residents of Edinburgh, a city that served as the intellectual and administrative heart of the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, families with this name were active participants in the growing trade and legal sectors of the capital. This migration into the city reflects a broader trend of Scottish families moving toward urban hubs to take advantage of new economic opportunities. The name persists as a testament to those early settlers who helped shape the social fabric of Edinburgh during a time of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
finis
Latin term meaning end, boundary, or limit.
This name
FinRefers to someone who lived near a boundary or the end of a village.
also spelled
Fyn
Finn
Fynn
Fynes
Fynnee
Related arms
Fynvariant spelling
Fynesvariant spelling
Fynneevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Allier, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Bourbon-l'Archambault, 1663
Baudiau, Jacques-François, Histoire du Bourbonnais, 1854
Nicolle, David, The French Army in the 17th Century, 2004
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
