A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belo family of France.
Reg. 2753 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
otterOne who lives life to the full
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“De sin. à la bande ondée d'arg., accostée en chef d'une belette courante d'or.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Belo Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Belo arms are recorded
The Belo arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement 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.
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 Belo 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Belo Family in France
The family name Belo has deep roots in the sun-drenched region of Provence, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the agricultural and social landscape of southern France. Families in this area often took names that reflected their local identity or the specific traits of their ancestors. In the Provençal dialect, the root of the name is often associated with the word for beautiful or fair, suggesting that the name may have originally been a descriptive nickname passed down through generations. By the mid-17th century, the Belo family was already established as part of the local community, likely participating in the vibrant trade and farming traditions that defined life in the Mediterranean countryside. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the local culture, leaving a lasting mark on the history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin adjective meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BeloA descriptive nickname for a person considered attractive or physically pleasing.
also spelled
Belaud
Bellauld
Belo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Boyer, Jean, La vie quotidienne en Provence au XVIIe siècle, 1972
Papon, Jean-Pierre, Histoire générale de Provence, 1777
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
otterOne who lives life to the full
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
otterOne who lives life to the full
