A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beeching family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3283 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un chicot en p., posé en fasce, poussant deux feuilles vers le chef, entre lesquelles s'élève une tige englantée de trois pièces malordonnées, le tout de sin. C.: les meubles de l'écu.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Beeching arms are recorded
The Beeching arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Beeching 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 Beeching Family in France
The origins of the Beeching family name in France are deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1725. During this period, the name was likely associated with families living near beech forests or lands characterized by specific local vegetation, as surnames often evolved from the natural features of a person's home. In the eighteenth century, Bretagne was a region defined by its distinct maritime culture and rural traditions, and the Beechings were part of the local community structure that relied on agriculture and trade. Life for the family in this era involved navigating the complex social and legal systems of the French provinces, where parish registers served as the primary method for tracking births, marriages, and deaths. By settling in this northwestern corner of France, the family became part of a long history of regional development that shaped the identity of the Breton people for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, or and gu. a bend sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Beeching arms are recorded
The Beeching arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Beeching arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Beeching Family in England
The surname Beeching is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or a beech wood. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Beeching family were active within this northern hub, a time when York served as a vital center for trade and regional administration. During this era, families often identified themselves by their proximity to local landmarks, which helped distinguish them in growing urban populations. As the family settled into their lives in York, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to the local community during the transition into the Stuart period. This early documentation in Yorkshire suggests that the family was well-integrated into the English social structure long before the modern era.
Beeching Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bece
Old French term for a beak or a pointed projection.
This name
BeechingA topographical name for someone who lived near a prominent pointed hill or ridge.
also spelled
Bekking
Beking
Beckyng
Bekkinge
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection des registres paroissiaux
Gautier, René, Dictionnaire des noms de famille de Bretagne, 1993
Tanguy, Bernard, Les noms de lieux bretons, 1975
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
leafHappiness and abundance
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
leafHappiness and abundance
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
