Map of France showing where the Lappin arms are recorded
The Lappin 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 Lappin 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 Lappin Family in France
The surname Lappin carries a rich history that traces back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this area, which was known for its distinct Celtic heritage and strong maritime traditions. The name itself is often linked to the French word for rabbit, suggesting that it may have originally functioned as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who was known for being quick or nimble. During the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the agricultural and trade activities that defined life in western France during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
lapin
A small mammal with long ears and a short tail.
This name
LappinA nickname for a person who was swift or timid like a rabbit.
also spelled
Lupin
Luppine
Luppyn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
