A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bechthold family of France.
Reg. 1881 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé de sa. sur arg.; à un membre d'aigle d'or, br. sur le tout, les ongles en bas, empoignant un boulet de canon de sa. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut. d'arg. L. d'arg. et de sa.”
FranceGrand, c. 1829
Where the Bechthold Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bechthold arms are recorded
The Bechthold arms were recorded in Grand, c. 1829.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 X of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles X of France
1824–1830
Reigning in France when the Bechthold 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 France.
Origin & History of the Bechthold Family in France
The surname Bechthold originates from the Germanic linguistic tradition and is composed of the roots "berht," meaning bright or famous, and "wald," meaning ruler or power. While the name is deeply rooted in Central European history, its presence in the region of Bretagne by 1829 suggests a significant migration pattern during the early nineteenth century. Families bearing this name often moved across borders due to shifting political boundaries or the search for new economic opportunities in the post-Napoleonic era. By settling in western France, these early ancestors integrated into a distinct cultural landscape while maintaining a name that reflects their ancient Germanic heritage. This transition highlights the mobility of families during a time of great social change in Europe, as they moved from traditional homelands to establish new lives in coastal provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht-wald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright or famous and ruler.
This name
BechtholdA surname denoting a person who is a bright or illustrious ruler.
also spelled
Bechtold
Bechtholt
Bektold
Related arms
Bechtholtvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil, Registres de naissances, mariages et décès, 1829
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1954
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
legStrength and swiftness
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
legStrength and swiftness
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
