A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Glyn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2777 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 l'aigle ép. de sa., semée de larmes d'or. C.: une tête et col d'aigle de sa., semée de larmes d'or, tenant en son bec une coquille d'arg. S.: deux aigles de sa., semées de larmes d'or, le vol levé, tenant chacune en son bec une coquille d'arg. D.: FIDEI TENAX.”
Francec. 1869
Where the Glyn Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Glyn arms are recorded
The Glyn arms were recorded in France, c. 1869.
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.
Napoleon III
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon III
1852–1870
Reigning in France when the Glyn 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 Glyn Family in France
The history of the Glyn name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and distinct cultural identity of the Bretagne region. While the name is often associated with Welsh roots, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Bretagne by 1869. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social and economic shifts as it integrated more closely with the rest of France. Families like the Glyns often lived in rural or coastal communities where they contributed to the local agricultural and maritime traditions that defined the area. Their presence in Bretagne suggests a history of migration or long-standing regional ties that allowed them to integrate into the local society while maintaining their specific family identity. By the late 19th century, these individuals were part of the fabric of Breton life, living through a time of modernization that transformed the province from a secluded territory into a vital part of the French nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. an eagle imperial displ. sa. guttée d'or; 2nd and 3rd, ar. three fiery brands sa. enflamed ppr. with an escutcheon of pretence ar. charged with a man's leg couped at the thigh sa”
SurreyEwell · Surrey, c. 1620
Where the Glyn Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Glyn arms are recorded
The Glyn arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Glyn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Surrey.
Origin & History of the Glyn Family in England
The surname Glyn originates from the Welsh word "glyn," which translates to a valley or a deep wooded glen. While the name is deeply rooted in Welsh geography, members of the family established a significant presence in England by the early 17th century. Records confirm that the family was well-settled in the county of Surrey by 1620, marking a transition from their ancestral Welsh origins into the English social landscape. During this era, families often moved across regional borders to pursue new opportunities in trade, law, or land management near the growing influence of London. By integrating into the local communities of Surrey, these early settlers helped transition the name from a descriptive Welsh term into a recognized English family line that would eventually expand into various professional and public roles throughout the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Glyn
A Welsh term referring to a narrow valley or wooded glen.
This name
GlynA topographic surname identifying someone who lived near or within a valley.
also spelled
Glynn
Glyne
Glynne
Glin
Glinn
Related arms
Glenvariant spelling
Glenevariant spelling
Glenn, Glen, and Glenevariant spelling
Glinnevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Recensement de la population
Gallouedec, Louis, La Bretagne, 1917
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
legStrength and swiftness
