Map of France showing where the Lines arms are recorded
The Lines 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 Lines 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 Lines Family in France
The family name Lines 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 rugged landscape, which was historically known for its strong maritime culture and distinct Celtic roots. The name likely evolved from local geographic descriptions or occupational titles common to the area during the seventeenth century. As families in this region often lived in close-knit rural communities, the name served as a way to identify lineage and connection to the land. Over time, the family expanded beyond these coastal borders, carrying their heritage into new regions while maintaining the identity first documented in the historical records of Bretagne.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lignum
Latin term referring to wood or timber.
This name
LinesDerived from a topographic descriptor for someone who lived near a forest or worked with wood.
also spelled
Lynnes
Linns
Lines
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
