A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forbin family of France.
Reg. 6488 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. d'azur, acc. de trois têtes de léopard de sa., lamp. de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Forbin Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Forbin arms are recorded
The Forbin 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 Forbin 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 Forbin Family in France
The Forbin family is a storied lineage that originated in the Provence region of southern France before spreading to other areas, including Bretagne by the early eighteenth century. Historians trace the family roots back to the medieval period, where they established themselves as influential figures in local government and military service. The name itself is thought to be derived from the old Provençal word for a brave or bold individual, reflecting the family's long-standing reputation for leadership and public duty. By the time members of the family settled in Bretagne in 1725, they were already well-known for their connections to the French nobility and their involvement in maritime trade. Throughout their history, the Forbins maintained a strong presence in both regional politics and the royal court, ensuring their name remained prominent in French society for several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
forbire
Old French verb meaning to polish or furbish metal.
This name
ForbinRefers to a maker or polisher of swords and armor.
also spelled
Forbinn
Forbine
Forbyn
Forban
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Barthélemy, Louis. Inventaire chronologique et analytique des chartes de la maison de Forbin. 1893
Archives Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône. Fonds de la famille de Forbin, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
