Map of France showing where the Houchin arms are recorded
The Houchin arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Houchin 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Houchin Family in France
The family name Houchin originates from the historical region of Artois in northern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its rich agricultural land and strategic importance during the conflicts between France and the Spanish Netherlands. The name itself is likely locative, meaning it was originally used to identify people who came from the village of Houchin near Béthune. During the seventeenth century, families in this part of Artois often lived in small, tightly knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or local tradespeople. As the region transitioned from Spanish rule to French control during this period, the Houchin family remained part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the northern French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugo
A Germanic name element meaning heart, mind, or spirit.
This name
HouchinA diminutive form indicating a descendant or follower of someone named Hugh.
also spelled
Houchine
Houchinn
Houchyn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Registres paroissiaux de la commune de Houchin, 1663
Brillon, Pierre-Jacques, Dictionnaire géographique et historique de la province d'Artois, 1726
Delecourt, Jules, Essai sur la toponymie des communes du Pas-de-Calais, 1865
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
