A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2682 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à une colombe d'arg., tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin.; au 2 d'or à un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin., chaque coupeau sommé d'une branche d'arbre du même. C.: la colombe; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Finn arms are recorded
The Finn arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Germany when the Finn 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Finn Family in Germany
The family name Finn has roots in Germany that trace back to the bustling trade centers of the eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Nuremberg. During this period, Nuremberg was a major hub for skilled craftsmanship and commerce, which likely influenced the family’s daily life and professional opportunities. The name itself often functioned as a descriptive identifier in early German society, sometimes used to distinguish individuals who had traveled from northern regions or those who possessed specific physical traits. As the family integrated into the local community, they participated in the social and economic shifts of the Holy Roman Empire. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the culture and industry of the region during the late Enlightenment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 a head ar. in chief a mullet of the last”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Finn arms are recorded
The Finn 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 Germany when the Finn 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 Finn Family in Scotland
The family name Finn has deep roots in Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct identifier long before the mid-eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with Gaelic origins, its presence in the Scottish Lowlands suggests a history of migration and integration into local urban life. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Finn family were well-established residents of Edinburgh. During this era, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Finns played a role in the daily life of the city. These early ancestors likely worked in the skilled trades or merchant sectors that defined the Scottish capital during the Enlightenment. Their presence in official municipal documents from this time provides a clear link to the social fabric of eighteenth-century Scotland, showing how the family became part of the enduring history of the region.
Finn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Finnr
Old Norse term referring to a person from Finland or the Sami.
This name
FinnA name historically denoting a wanderer, a person from Finland, or fair-haired.
also spelled
Fyn
Fin
Fynn
Fynnee
Related arms
Cobelli de Sant' Albertosimilar arms
Zambonisimilar arms
Finvariant spelling
Fynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
