A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beaufils family of France.
Reg. 3976 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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)
“D'azur à trois pattes de lion d'or, onglées d'arg., à une étoile en abime et deux autres étoiles, accostant la dernière patte, lesdites étoiles d'arg. C. : un écusson d'azur.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1491
Where the Beaufils Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Beaufils arms are recorded
The Beaufils arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1491.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in France when the Beaufils 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Beaufils Family in France
The surname Beaufils originated in France as a descriptive nickname, literally translating to "fine son" or "handsome son." This term was often used in medieval society to distinguish a young man of good character or appearance, eventually becoming a permanent family name passed down through generations. By the year 1491, records confirm that members of the Beaufils family were well-established in the Lorraine region. During this period, Lorraine served as a cultural crossroads between French and Germanic influences, and families living there were often involved in local administration, trade, or agriculture. As the name spread across the region, it became a marker of a family that had successfully transitioned from a simple nickname into a recognized lineage with deep roots in the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beau + fils
Derived from the Old French words for beautiful or handsome and son.
This name
BeaufilsA descriptive nickname historically given to a handsome son or a favorite child.
also spelled
Beaufis
Bofee
Beaufil
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
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions, 1491
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
