A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bechard family of Austria.
Reg. 5768 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
horseReadiness to serve king and country
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. à la tour d'arg.; au 2 d'azur au cheval cabré d'arg.; au 3 d'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois gobelets au nat.; au 4 de gu. treillissé d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: le cheval, iss., entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'or sur azur, à sen. de gu. sur or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1779
Where the Bechard Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Bechard arms are recorded
The Bechard arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1779.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1779
Granting Authority for the Bechard Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Bechard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Bechard Family in Austria
The Bechard family name has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where members of the family were documented as early as 1779. During this period, the area was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and families often identified themselves based on their specific village or the trade they practiced. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the unique blend of German and Romance influences common in the Alpine valleys. Life in Tyrol during the late 18th century was defined by agriculture and trade routes that connected northern and southern Europe. As the family established themselves in this rugged landscape, they became part of a resilient community that navigated the complex political shifts of the region. Over time, the name persisted as a marker of their ancestral connection to these high-altitude settlements and their role in the local history of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bach
A small stream or brook.
This name
BechardA topographic name for someone who lived near a small stream or brook.
also spelled
Bechart
Bekard
Beshar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Tauf-, Heirats- und Sterbebücher (1779)
Huter, Franz, Tiroler Urkundenbuch (1937)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
horseReadiness to serve king and country
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
horseReadiness to serve king and country
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
