A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beauclerc family of France.
Reg. 1048 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
wolfReward from long service and hard work
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“De gu. au chev. acc. en chef de deux têtes de léopard et en p. d'un loup pass. le tout d'or; au chef d'azur ch. d'un croiss. d'arg.”
Ile-de-FranceIle-de-France, c. 1663
Where the Beauclerc Arms Were Recorded
Ile-de-France
Map of France showing where the Beauclerc arms are recorded
The Beauclerc arms were recorded in Ile-de-France, c. 1663.
Ile-de-France is the country around Paris, and proximity to the court mattered. Families who served the crown were rewarded with land near it, and land near the capital carried arms almost as a matter of course.
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 Beauclerc 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 Ile-de-France.
Origin & History of the Beauclerc Family in France
The name Beauclerc carries a long history rooted in the French language, where it literally translates to "beautiful scholar" or "fine clerk." This name was often given to individuals who were known for their intelligence, literacy, or service within the church and royal administration. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Beauclerc family were well-established in the Île-de-France region, which surrounds the city of Paris. During this period, the family likely lived in a society where education and administrative skill were highly valued traits for those seeking to improve their social standing. As the family settled in this central hub of French culture and government, they became part of the vibrant history of the region during the reign of King Louis XIV. Their presence in this area suggests they were connected to the professional or merchant classes that helped keep the kingdom running during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beau + Clerc
Beautiful or fair combined with a learned person or cleric.
This name
BeauclercRefers to a handsome scholar or a person of noble, educated character.
also spelled
Beauclerk
Beauclerq
Boklair
Related arms
Slingsby de Bifronssimilar arms
Beauclerkvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
Frain, Michel, Dictionnaire des noms de famille de France, 1998
Moreri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, 1759
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