A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bance family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5171 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 au chev. d'or, acc. en chef de deux molettes du même, et en p. d'une Foi d'arg.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bance Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bance arms are recorded
The Bance arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bance 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 Bance Family in France
The family name Bance has deep roots in the historical region of Brittany, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, Brittany was a culturally distinct province with its own legal customs and a strong maritime tradition. Families like the Bances often lived in rural parishes where they were deeply connected to the local land and the Catholic Church. Because the name appears in parish registers during the seventeenth century, it is likely that the family was part of the local peasantry or the emerging artisan class. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant transition as the French monarchy worked to centralize its control over the provinces. By studying these regional archives, we can see how the Bance family navigated the social and economic changes of life in western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. two lion's gambs chevronways or, supporting a crescent reversed ar. in chief two estoiles of the last”
BerksLondon · Berks, c. 1620
Where the Bance Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Bance arms are recorded
The Bance arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of 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 Bance 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Bance Family in England
The surname Bance is deeply rooted in the rural landscapes of southern England, with significant historical ties to the county of Berkshire. By the early seventeenth century, the family was well-established in this region, as evidenced by local records from 1620 that place members of the Bance family within the social and economic fabric of Berkshire life. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a localized place name, reflecting the common practice of identifying individuals by their trade, physical traits, or the specific village they inhabited. As these early ancestors navigated the agricultural society of the time, they contributed to the development of local parishes and rural communities. Their presence in Berkshire during this era suggests a long-standing connection to the land and the gradual solidification of the family name as a distinct identity within the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
banc
A bench or a raised seat used in medieval times.
This name
BanceA topographic name for someone who lived near a bench or a prominent ridge.
also spelled
Banc
Bances
Bans
Banse
Related arms
Bencesame arms
Adamsimilar arms
Auxsimilar arms
Collet de Cantelousimilar arms
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
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1905
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
