Map of France showing where the Gouin arms are recorded
The Gouin arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gouin 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Gouin Family in France
The family name Gouin traces its roots back to the historic region of Brittany in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Gouin family were well established within this coastal province. The name itself is believed to be a variation of ancient Germanic personal names that were popular during the early Middle Ages. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local culture and social structure of the Breton countryside. Many early members of the family were likely involved in agricultural life or local trades that defined the economy of the region during the seventeenth century. Over time, the name spread from these rural roots as family members moved to different parts of France and eventually across the Atlantic to North America.
Gouin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Godwin
Derived from the Germanic elements for god and friend.
This name
GouinA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of a person named Godwin, meaning good friend.
also spelled
Gouin
Gooan de Boshen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
