A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Been family of Denmark.
Reg. 1242 · Danish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une jambe, coupée à la cuisse, arm. d'arg., lisérée et éperonnée d'or. C.: un bras, arm. d'arg., la main de carn.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Been Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Been arms are recorded
The Been arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Denmark when the Been arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Been Family in Denmark
The family name Been has deep roots in the historical landscape of Sjælland, Denmark, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1722. During this period, the region was characterized by a strict social structure where most people lived in small farming communities. Families often took names that reflected their occupation, their physical traits, or the specific village where they resided. The name Been likely emerged during this time as a way to distinguish one household from another in local parish registers. As these families grew, they remained closely tied to the fertile lands of Sjælland, participating in the agricultural traditions that defined the island for generations. By studying these early church records, we can see how the family name became a permanent part of the local history, marking the transition from simple naming customs to established family lineages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well-spoken.
This name
BeenA Danish patronymic or topographic surname derived from a shortened form of Benedict.
also spelled
Ben
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rigsarkivet (Danish National Archives), Kirkebøger fra Sjællands Stift (Parish registers of the Diocese of Sjælland)
Trap, J.P., Statistisk-topographisk Beskrivelse af Kongeriget Danmark (1858)
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
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
legStrength and swiftness
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
