Map of France showing where the Machin arms are recorded
The Machin arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1628.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Machin 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Machin Family in France
The surname Machin has deep roots in the historical region of Lorraine, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1628. During this period, Lorraine existed as a complex borderland between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France, creating a unique cultural environment for its residents. The name itself likely originated as a diminutive form of the name Mathieu, reflecting a common medieval practice of using nicknames to distinguish between individuals in small village communities. As the family lived in a region frequently affected by the shifting borders and conflicts of the seventeenth century, they were part of a resilient population that navigated significant social and political changes. By settling in this area, the early members of the Machin family contributed to the local labor and agricultural traditions that defined the rural life of eastern France during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
vairProtection, and the winter fur
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a fess vair betw. three pelicans' heads ar. vulning themselves ppr. a canton ar”
YorkYork, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Machin arms are recorded
The Machin arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Machin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of York.
Origin & History of the Machin Family in England
The surname Machin has deep roots in England, appearing as a descriptive name that likely evolved from the Old French word "machon," meaning a mason or stone worker. By the early 17th century, the family was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Machin family were active in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration. Families with this name often lived in urban centers where their ancestral trade of masonry was in high demand for the construction of cathedrals and civic buildings. Over time, the name transitioned from a professional title into a permanent family surname, reflecting the essential role these craftsmen played in shaping the architectural landscape of medieval and early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
Gift of God
This name
MachinA diminutive form derived from the name Matthew, historically denoting a descendant of Matthew.
also spelled
Makon
Matchon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Book: Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
