A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Befort family of Germany.
Reg. 6802 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
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'arg. au croiss d'or.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Befort Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Befort arms are recorded
The Befort arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Befort arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Befort Family in Germany
The surname Befort carries deep roots in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Befort family were established residents in this area, living through a period defined by agricultural traditions and the slow growth of local villages. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from the French term "beau fort," which translates to "beautiful fort" or "fine stronghold." It is probable that ancestors of the family either lived near a prominent fortification or were associated with the construction and maintenance of such structures during the medieval era. As these individuals migrated or expanded their influence, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage, eventually taking root in the Bavarian countryside by 1765. This transition from a descriptive title to a hereditary surname reflects the broader movement of families across European borders during the centuries leading up to the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beaufort
Derived from the French words for beautiful and fortress.
This name
BefortA habitational name referring to someone who lived near a beautiful castle or fortified place.
also spelled
Beaufort
Beford
Befor
Related arms
Beaufortvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchführung
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
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.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
