A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belly family of France.
Reg. 0149 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à une couronne d'or; au 2 d'arg. à trois monts de sin. - Ou: D'azur à une couronne d'or en chef, et un mont de trois coupeaux d'arg. en p.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Belly Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Belly arms are recorded
The Belly arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Belly 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Belly Family in France
The surname Belly has deep roots in the historical province of Lyonnais, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was a major center for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, possibly referring to a person’s physical stature or a specific personality trait that stood out to their neighbors. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social fabric of the Lyonnais countryside and the bustling city of Lyon. By maintaining a consistent presence in the region, the Belly family contributed to the local labor force and community development during a time of significant economic growth in France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BellyA topographic name for someone living near a beautiful place or a nickname for a handsome individual.
also spelled
Bely
Related arms
Belyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Lyon, 1663
Garnier, Jean-Pierre, Histoire de Lyon et du Lyonnais, 1975
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
