A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beau family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6559 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bombOne who has faced a great siege
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 une bombe de sa., allumée de gu.; au chef d'azur, semé de bes. du champ.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Beau Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Beau arms are recorded
The Beau arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Beau 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Beau Family in France
The family name Beau finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of medieval France, where it originated as a descriptive nickname. In the French language, the word beau translates to beautiful or handsome, and it was likely bestowed upon an ancestor who possessed a striking appearance or a pleasant personality. By the time the family was firmly established in the Provence region in 1663, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptor into a formal hereditary surname. Living in the sun-drenched landscapes of southern France, these early family members were part of a society deeply influenced by local customs and the agricultural cycles of the Mediterranean climate. As the name passed down through generations, it became a permanent marker of their identity, reflecting a history tied to the social fabric of the French countryside long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Masonry ar. a chief az. charged with a demi lion issuant of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beau Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beau arms are recorded
The Beau arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Beau 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 England.
Origin & History of the Beau Family in England
The family name Beau is rooted in the French language, where it translates to the word for beautiful or handsome. While the name originated in France, it eventually migrated across the English Channel and became established in various parts of Britain. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Beau family were living in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped sustain the local economy. The presence of the Beau name in York suggests that these early ancestors were part of the social fabric of a city known for its deep medieval roots and its role as a gateway to the north. As the family settled into English life, they helped carry a piece of their linguistic heritage into the diverse landscape of seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin adjective meaning beautiful, handsome, or fine.
This name
BeauA descriptive surname for a handsome or attractive individual.
also spelled
Beaue
Bo
Beaw
Bew
Beu
Related arms
Beawvariant spelling
Bewvariant spelling
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bombOne who has faced a great siege
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bombOne who has faced a great siege
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
