A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harkin family of France.
Reg. 3296 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 deux chev. de gu., acc. de trois roses du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Harkin Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Harkin arms are recorded
The Harkin 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 Harkin 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 Harkin Family in France
The history of the Harkin name is deeply connected to the movement of people across Western Europe during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with later migrations, records confirm that family members were firmly established in the region of Bretagne by 1663. During this period, Bretagne served as a vital crossroads for trade and travel, allowing families to settle and integrate into local communities while maintaining their distinct identity. Early ancestors likely worked in agriculture or maritime industries, which were the primary ways of life in the coastal towns of the province. By settling in this area, the family became part of the long and complex history of the Breton people, contributing to the local culture and economy long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hEarcháin
Descendant of the cunning or crafty one.
This name
HarkinDerived from an Irish Gaelic patronymic indicating a lineage associated with cleverness or shrewdness.
also spelled
Harquyn
Harquen
Harkin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Archives de la juridiction de Brest)
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
