A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bem family of Poland.
Reg. 5139 · Polish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
ramLeadership and authority
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au griffon cont. d'arg.; au 2 de gu. au bélier ramp. d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon et le bélier, affrontés.”
Polandc. 1772
Where the Bem Arms Were Recorded
Mazovia
Map of Poland showing where the Bem arms are recorded
The Bem arms were recorded in Poland, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Mazovia.
Mazovia held Warsaw, the Polish court and the assemblies where the szlachta met. Poland's nobles were unusually numerous and every one of them bore arms, and Warsaw is where those arms were argued over and recorded.
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
Mazovia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Bem 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 Bem 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 Poland.
Origin & History of the Bem Family in Poland
The history of the Bem family in the Mazovia region of Poland dates back to at least the late 18th century, with records confirming their presence in the area by 1772. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the name Benjamin, which was often shortened in various European languages as people moved across borders and settled in new communities. During this period, Mazovia was a central hub for trade and agriculture, and families like the Bems were often integrated into the local social fabric as landholders or skilled tradespeople. As the region experienced significant political changes during the partitions of Poland, many families with this surname maintained their local ties while navigating the shifting borders of the era. By settling in Mazovia, the early members of the family established a foundation that allowed the name to persist through generations of regional development and cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Böhm
A person originating from the region of Bohemia.
This name
BemAn ethnic identifier for individuals who migrated from the Czech lands to Poland.
also spelled
Beem
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rymut, Kazimierz, Nazwiska Polaków: słownik historyczno-etymologiczny, 1999
Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych w Warszawie (Central Archives of Historical Records in Warsaw), Księgi metrykalne parafii rzymskokatolickich z terenu Mazowsza (Parish registers of Roman Catholic parishes in the Mazovia region)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
ramLeadership and authority
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
ramLeadership and authority
