Map of France showing where the Rollinson arms are recorded
The Rollinson arms were recorded in Etats-Unis, 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 Rollinson 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 Rollinson Family in France
The surname Rollinson is primarily of English origin, functioning as a patronymic name that means the son of Rollo or Rollin. While the name is deeply rooted in the British Isles, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1725. During this period, the movement of families across the English Channel was often driven by trade, religious shifts, or military service. The presence of the Rollinson name in Bretagne suggests that these ancestors were likely part of a small community of expatriates or merchants who integrated into the local French society while maintaining their distinct family identity. Over time, these early settlers adapted to the local culture, leaving a unique mark on the history of the region through their professional and social contributions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Roland
Renowned land or famous in the land.
This name
RollinsonPatronymic form meaning son of the famous or renowned one.
also spelled
Rolins
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
