A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belfiore family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à cinq tubes de canon de sa., posés en fasces, l'un sur l'autre.”
The Belfiore 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.
Reigning in France when the Belfiore arms are first recorded.
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.
The name Belfiore, which translates to "beautiful flower," carries a rich history that reflects the movement of families across European borders. While the name is often associated with Italian roots, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the Brittany region of France by 1725. During this era, Brittany was a hub of maritime trade and agricultural development, and families like the Belfiores often integrated into the local social fabric through skilled labor or land management. Their presence in this coastal province suggests that the family likely migrated from the Mediterranean regions of Europe, perhaps drawn by the economic opportunities or the shifting political alliances of the eighteenth century. By settling in Brittany, these early ancestors helped weave their name into the local history of the region, transitioning from their origins to become part of the diverse cultural landscape of northern France.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bellA call to prayer, and a warning givenSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. a fesse barry wavy of six ar. and az. betw. three hawks' bells of the second”
The Belfiore 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 France when the Belfiore 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 Belfiore, which translates from Italian to mean beautiful flower, likely arrived in England through the movement of merchants or skilled artisans during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York. At this time, York was a bustling northern hub known for its trade guilds and religious significance. The presence of the family in this specific region suggests they may have been part of the growing community of continental Europeans who settled in English cities to pursue specialized crafts or commerce. While the name is distinctly Mediterranean in origin, its early integration into the social fabric of York indicates that the family successfully adapted to life in Northern England during the Stuart period.
Derived from Latin words for beautiful and flower.
