A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Raffin family of France.
Reg. 1310 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles d'or, rangées en chef.”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
Where the Raffin Arms Were Recorded
Guyenne
Map of France showing where the Raffin arms are recorded
The Raffin arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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 Raffin 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Raffin Family in France
The surname Raffin finds its historical roots in the southwestern region of France, specifically within the province of Guyenne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its rich agricultural landscape and deep ties to the wine trade. The name itself is believed to be a variation of the Old French word "raffe," which was often used as a nickname for someone with a bold or spirited personality. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social fabric of Guyenne, likely working as landowners or skilled tradespeople who contributed to the stability of the region during the seventeenth century. Their presence in this part of France reflects the broader patterns of family settlement in the rural provinces, where lineages remained tied to specific lands and communities for many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raph
Derived from the Germanic element meaning counsel or advice.
This name
RaffinA diminutive form indicating a person who is a wise counselor or advisor.
also spelled
Rafin
Related arms
Rufz de Lavisonsame arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Guyenne, 1663
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
