Map of France showing where the Hermine arms are recorded
The Hermine 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 Hermine 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 Hermine Family in France
The family name Hermine traces its roots back to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub within the Kingdom of France, known for its strong maritime traditions and independent spirit. Families living in this area often took names derived from local nature or historical figures, and the name Hermine likely reflects the stoic and resilient character of the stoat, an animal known for its pure white winter coat and agility. By the mid-17th century, those bearing the name were likely integrated into the rural or merchant classes of the province, navigating the complex social structures of the time. As they established their lives in local parishes, these early ancestors helped shape the identity of their community through agriculture, trade, and local governance. Their presence in the historical record during the 1660s provides a clear link to the traditional life of Bretagne, marking the beginning of a long lineage that persisted through the changing political landscape of the French provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hariman
Derived from Germanic elements meaning army and man.
This name
HermineA French feminine name signifying a soldier or warrior.
also spelled
Herminee
Hermeen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Poterin du Motel, Dictionnaire historique et géographique de la province de Bretagne, 1845
Archives nationales de France, Série E, Titres de famille et de succession
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