A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bech family of Belgium.
Reg. 8354 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
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'arg. à la croix ancrée vairée d'arg. et de sa.: au chef vairé d'arg. et de sa.”
BelgiumLuxemb, c. 1737
Where the Bech Arms Were Recorded
Luxemb
Map of Belgium showing where the Bech arms are recorded
The Bech arms were recorded in Luxemb, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Bech arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Bech Family in Belgium
The family name Bech has deep roots in the region of Luxembourg, where records confirm members of the family were established by at least 1737. The name itself is likely topographic, meaning it was derived from the German word *Bach*, which translates to a brook or a small stream. In early European naming traditions, people were often identified by the landscape features near their homes, suggesting that the first individuals to carry this name lived close to a flowing body of water. Over time, as families grew and moved, the name transitioned from a simple geographic descriptor into a permanent surname passed down through generations. By the 18th century, the Bech family had become a recognized part of the local community, contributing to the social and agricultural life of the Luxembourgish countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bach
A German word meaning a stream or a small brook.
This name
BechA topographic name for someone who lived near a stream or brook.
also spelled
Beck
Bek
Related arms
Beckvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives nationales de Luxembourg, État civil et registres paroissiaux
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
