Map of France showing where the Kerlin arms are recorded
The Kerlin arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 Kerlin 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 Kerlin Family in France
The family name Kerlin has roots that stretch back to the border regions of Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Strasbourg by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Strasbourg was a crossroads of culture and trade located between the French and German territories. Families living in this region often experienced shifts in political control and language, which frequently influenced how surnames were recorded in local registers. The name likely evolved from regional dialects spoken in the Alsace area, reflecting the diverse linguistic environment of the time. Early members of the Kerlin family were integrated into the urban life of the city, likely participating in the guilds or local trade networks that defined the economy of Strasbourg during this period. By settling in such a prominent center of commerce and learning, the family became part of the long history of migration and social development that shaped the Rhine valley.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ker
A Breton term referring to a village, hamlet, or fortified dwelling.
This name
KerlinA locative surname denoting someone who originated from a specific small settlement.
also spelled
Kerlin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux de Strasbourg (1663)
Livet, Georges, Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours, 1980
Wilsdorf, Christian, Histoire de l'Alsace, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
