A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Behne family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commanderJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Bandé-brétessé d'or et de gu.,”
The Behne arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1775.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Italy in this period.
Reigning in Italy when the Behne arms are first recorded.
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
The history of the Behne family in Italy is deeply tied to the vibrant commercial landscape of Venice during the late eighteenth century. By 1775, members of the family were established within the city, likely participating in the complex trade networks that defined the Venetian Republic before its fall. During this period, Venice served as a vital bridge between Western Europe and the Mediterranean, attracting merchants and skilled professionals from various regions. The presence of the Behne name in local records suggests that the family integrated into the urban fabric of the city, navigating the unique social and economic structures of a maritime power in its final decades of independence. Their residency during this era highlights the family's role in the cosmopolitan environment of a city that was then a center for international exchange and cultural transition.
lionCourage, strength and royaltySir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. three demi lions ramp. gu”
The Behne 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.
Reigning in Italy when the Behne arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Behne carries a distinct history that traces back to the northern reaches of England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to establish their roots. The name itself is often associated with Germanic or Low German origins, suggesting that early ancestors may have migrated to England as part of the merchant classes or skilled laborers who moved across the North Sea for new opportunities. By settling in a prominent city like York, the Behne family became part of the local fabric during a period of significant social and economic change in England. Their presence in the city records from this time indicates that they were integrated members of the community who participated in the daily life and commerce of the region.
Derived from the Latin word for well or good.
