Map of France showing where the Fine arms are recorded
The Fine 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 Fine 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 Fine Family in France
The surname Fine has deep roots in the historical province of Bourbonnais, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1663. In the context of French naming traditions, the name likely originated as a descriptive nickname. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to be identified by a physical trait or a personality characteristic. The word "fine" in Old French often described someone who was clever, sharp, or of high quality. As the family settled into the rural landscapes of central France, they became part of the local social fabric, likely working as farmers or skilled tradespeople within the feudal structure of the Bourbonnais region. Over the generations, the name transitioned from a simple descriptor into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through the parish registers of the seventeenth century.
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Fine arms are recorded
The Fine 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 Fine 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 Fine Family in Scotland
The history of the Fine family in Scotland is deeply tied to the urban development of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. While the name likely originated as a descriptive term for a person of refined character or appearance, by 1748, members of the family were firmly established as active participants in the city’s growing professional and merchant classes. During this era, Edinburgh was undergoing a period of significant social and architectural expansion, moving from the cramped conditions of the Old Town toward the organized planning of the New Town. Families like the Fines often occupied roles in local trade or administration, contributing to the city's reputation as a center for enlightenment and commerce. Their presence in the historical record during this time suggests they were part of the steady migration of families who helped stabilize the local economy and build the civic life of Scotland’s capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
finis
Latin term meaning end, boundary, or limit.
This name
FineA topographic name for someone who lived near a boundary or border.
also spelled
Fyn
Finn
Fynn
Fynes
Fynnee
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
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
