A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lin family of France.
Reg. 8342 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé, d'or à deux oiseaux accostés au nat., sur azur à une couronne d'or; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le coupé [C. v. d. L., gouverneur-général des Indes néerlandaises, 1645-50.]”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Lin arms are recorded
The Lin 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 Lin 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 Lin Family in France
The surname Lin has deep roots that trace back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that families carrying this name were already well-established within the local communities of this rugged, maritime province. The name itself is often linked to the Old French word for flax, which was a vital crop for the linen industry that defined the economy of the region during the eighteenth century. Families with this name likely lived and worked near the fertile fields or the busy ports where textiles were traded. Over time, these early ancestors helped shape the social and agricultural landscape of their villages. Their presence in the historical registers of Bretagne highlights a long tradition of rural life and craftsmanship that persisted for generations.
Lin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Linden
A type of deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves.
This name
LinA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent linden tree.
also spelled
Lyn
Lin
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, 1725
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1995
Le Goff, Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 2002
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
