Map of France showing where the Kerkhoff arms are recorded
The Kerkhoff arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Kerkhoff 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 Kerkhoff Family in France
The name Kerkhoff is of Germanic origin, derived from the words "kerk," meaning church, and "hof," meaning courtyard or farm. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely lived near a church or managed land belonging to a parish. While the name is most commonly associated with regions in the Netherlands and Germany, the presence of the family in Bretagne by 1725 indicates a significant migration pattern during the early eighteenth century. At that time, many families moved across European borders to seek new agricultural opportunities or to escape regional conflicts. Settling in Bretagne, these ancestors would have integrated into the local French-speaking community while maintaining their distinct linguistic heritage. Over time, the name evolved to reflect the family's transition from their original homeland to their new life in western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kirchhof
Germanic term for a churchyard or cemetery.
This name
KerkhoffA topographic name for someone who lived near a church or burial ground.
also spelled
Kerkhof-van-de-Holl
Kerkhoffvandehol
Kerkhof
Kerkhoff
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
