A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Béarn family of France.
Reg. 5995 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à deux vaches pass. de gu., coll., accornées et clarinées d'azur, l'une sur l'autre.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Béarn Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Béarn arms are recorded
The Béarn 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 Béarn 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 Béarn Family in France
The family name Béarn originates from the historical region of the same name located in the Pyrenees mountains of southwestern France. During the Middle Ages, the name was primarily a territorial designation used to identify individuals who held land or served the powerful Viscounts of Béarn. Over several centuries, families associated with this name migrated across French territories for reasons involving military service, trade, or administrative appointments. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the province of Bretagne. This relocation was common for families seeking new economic opportunities or serving in regional government roles during the reign of Louis XV. These early ancestors helped integrate the name into the local social fabric of western France, transitioning it from a regional identifier of the south into a settled family lineage in the north.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beneharnum
A pre-Roman settlement name of uncertain Aquitanian or Basque origin.
This name
BéarnRefers to the historical viscounty and region in southwestern France near the Pyrenees.
also spelled
Bearne
Bear
Bayarn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tucoo-Chala, Pierre. La Vicomté de Béarn et le problème de sa souveraineté, des origines à 1260. 1961
Archives départementales des Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Série E, Fonds de la famille de Béarn
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Série B, Registres des États de Bretagne
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
