A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bechtold family of France.
Reg. 1690 · 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
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Map of France showing where the Bechtold arms are recorded
The Bechtold 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 Bechtold 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 Bechtold Family in France
The surname Bechtold is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, originating as a compound name derived from the Old High German words for "bright" or "shining" and "ruler" or "bold." While the name is most commonly associated with regions in modern-day Germany, historical records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in the Bretagne region of France by 1829. This migration likely occurred as families moved across European borders for trade, agricultural opportunities, or military service during the early nineteenth century. Once settled in Bretagne, the family integrated into the local social fabric, adapting to the cultural landscape of western France while maintaining their distinct ancestral name. Their presence in this coastal province highlights the movement of people across linguistic boundaries during a period of significant social change in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht-wald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright or famous and rule or power.
This name
BechtoldA surname signifying a person who is a famous or illustrious ruler.
also spelled
Bechtold
Bechtholt
Bektold
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil, 1829
Book: Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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
