A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vines family of France.
Reg. 7935 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une tour d'arg. sur une terrasse du même, accostée de deux étoiles d'or (Vins); aux 2 et 3 d'or au loup ramp. d'azur, arm., lamp. et vilené de gu. (Agoutl) [V. Garde de Vins.]”
Francec. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Vines arms are recorded
The Vines arms were recorded in France, 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 Vines 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 Vines Family in France
The family name Vines has deep roots that connect to the landscape and agricultural traditions of Western Europe. In the region of Bretagne, France, the name is closely linked to the cultivation of vineyards, as the word itself is derived from the Old French term for a grape vine. By the year 1725, families bearing this name were well-established in the Breton countryside, where they likely worked as skilled viticulturists or landowners. Because Bretagne was a region defined by its distinct local customs and rural economy, the Vines family would have been an integral part of the local community structure. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple description of a person’s trade or property into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations. This evolution reflects the way many surnames emerged from the daily lives and environments of people living in eighteenth-century France.
Vines Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
vinea
Latin term referring to a vineyard or grape vine.
This name
VinesA topographic name for someone who lived near a vineyard or worked as a vintner.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morvan, Françoise. La douce Bretagne. 2009
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.