Map of France showing where the Quillin arms are recorded
The Quillin 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 Quillin 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 Quillin Family in France
The Quillin family name traces its roots back to the historic region of Brittany, known in French as Bretagne. Records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1663. The name is believed to be a variation of older Celtic or Breton terms, reflecting the unique linguistic heritage of the region. During the seventeenth century, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or artisans. As the family grew, some members eventually moved beyond the borders of their home province. This migration helped spread the name across different regions, eventually leading to its presence in other parts of the world. By studying these early records, we gain a clearer picture of how the Quillin family lived and functioned within the social structure of seventeenth-century France.
Quillin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Colinus
A diminutive form of the Latin name Nicolaus meaning victory of people.
This name
QuillinDerived from a French pet form of Nicholas indicating a descendant of the victorious one.
also spelled
Killien
Quillyen
Kilien
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Pitre-Chevalier, La Bretagne ancienne et moderne, 1844
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
