Map of Poland showing where the Behrens arms are recorded
The Behrens arms were recorded in Livonia, c. 1772.
Livonia was Baltic country held by a small number of landed families who kept their estates for centuries. Land there passed down whole rather than being divided, and long unbroken tenure is what fills a register.
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.
Region
Livonia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Behrens Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Poland when the Behrens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Livonia.
Origin & History of the Behrens Family in Poland
The surname Behrens originates from the Low German name Bernhard, which means brave as a bear. By the late 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Livonia, which was a territory that spanned parts of modern-day Latvia and Estonia. Following the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the political landscape of the Baltic region shifted significantly as the Russian Empire expanded its influence over these territories. Families like the Behrens often served as administrators, merchants, or landowners during this era of transition. Because the borders between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the surrounding Baltic lands were fluid, individuals with this name moved through these areas for trade and professional opportunities. The family likely integrated into the local social structures by adopting the customs of the Baltic German elite who held significant power in the region during the late 1700s. Their presence in Livonia during this pivotal year suggests they were part of a mobile class of people who navigated the changing imperial borders of Eastern Europe with relative ease.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. on a mount vert a bear pass. sa”
KentKevington · Kent, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Behrens arms are recorded
The Behrens arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Poland when the Behrens 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Behrens Family in England
The surname Behrens originates from the Low German region and is a patronymic name, meaning it was originally derived from the personal name Bernhard, which translates to brave as a bear. By the year 1620, members of the family had established a presence in the county of Kent, England. During this period, Kent served as a vital gateway for continental Europeans arriving in Britain due to its proximity to the English Channel. Families like the Behrens often moved to these coastal areas to engage in trade or to seek refuge from the political and religious instability occurring across mainland Europe. Once settled in England, the family likely integrated into the local agricultural or merchant communities, gradually anglicizing their daily lives while maintaining the distinct identity of their ancestral name. This transition reflects the broader pattern of migration that shaped the social landscape of seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bernhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning brave or hardy bear.
This name
BehrensA patronymic surname meaning son of the bear-hearted one.
also spelled
Beren
Berenss
Berence
Berenz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Körber, Martin. Oesels Kirchen und Pfarrer seit der Reformation. 1885
Müller, Michael. Die baltischen Provinzen Russlands unter den Zaren. 1905
Latvian State Historical Archives (Latvijas Valsts vēstures arhīvs), Fond 235 (Evangelical Lutheran Church Records)
Estonian Historical Archives (Eesti Ajalooarhiiv), Fond 854 (Livonian Nobility and Landowner Records)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
