Map of France showing where the Govin arms are recorded
The Govin arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Govin 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 Govin Family in France
The family name Govin has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by at least 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural landscape and the social structures of the Breton countryside. Families like the Govins often lived in small parishes where their lives centered on agriculture and local community traditions. Because Brittany maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of France, the Govin family likely spoke the Breton language and followed local customs that had been passed down for generations. Over time, the name became a permanent part of the regional history as the family grew and settled into the coastal and inland areas of the province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gauvin
Derived from the Germanic name Walwin meaning friend of the Goths.
This name
GovinA French patronymic surname originating from the ancient Germanic personal name Gauvin.
also spelled
Gauvyn
Govin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 2005
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
