Map of France showing where the Levin arms are recorded
The Levin arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Levin 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Levin Family in France
The family name Levin carries a rich history that traces back to the vibrant cultural landscape of France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Lyonnais region. During this period, the Lyonnais area was a major center for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of the family members living there. The name itself is often associated with the Hebrew name Levi, which signifies joining or unity, though it evolved significantly as it moved through different European regions and languages. As the family settled into the local communities of eastern France, they became part of the social fabric of the seventeenth century, living through a time of great transition in French history. Their presence in the region during this era highlights a long-standing connection to the traditions and development of the Lyonnais landscape.
Levin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lev
Hebrew term meaning heart or lion.
This name
LevinDerived from the Hebrew name Levi, meaning joined or attached.
also spelled
Vin
Levan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
