A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beffa family of France.
Reg. 8495 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur au lion naiss. d'arg., mouv. du coupé; au 2 échiq. d'or et d'arg. de trois tires. Au chef de l'écu d'arg. à l'aigle de sa.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Beffa Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Beffa arms are recorded
The Beffa 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 Beffa 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 Beffa Family in France
The family name Beffa carries a history deeply rooted in the regional transitions of early modern Europe. By the year 1725, records confirm the presence of the family in the Bretagne region of France, a time when the area was known for its distinct cultural identity and maritime influence. The name itself is thought to have evolved from localized linguistic roots, potentially linked to occupational descriptions or geographic markers common in the rural communities of that era. As families moved across the borders of neighboring territories, the name likely adapted to the phonetic patterns of the local dialects. This period of the eighteenth century was a time of significant social movement, and the Beffa family members were part of the broader demographic shifts that shaped the social fabric of the French provinces. Through their presence in Bretagne, the family became part of the long-standing tradition of local record-keeping that defined the lives of ordinary citizens during the reign of the French monarchy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Biffa
A medieval term referring to a stammerer or someone who speaks unclearly.
This name
BeffaA topographic or occupational surname likely denoting a person with a speech impediment.
also spelled
Befa
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Poirier, Jean, Histoire des noms de famille en Bretagne, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
