A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benac family of France.
Reg. 7991 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lièvre ramp. d'or: au 2 d'azur à deux lapins courants d'or, l'un sur l'autre. S.: deux griffons au nat. D.: 1º DEO, REGI SEMPER FIDELIS; 2º MON ÂME à DIEU, MON COEUR AU ROI [La moitié sen. de l'écu contient les armes primitives de la fam.]”
FranceBigorre, c. 1663
Where the Benac Arms Were Recorded
Bigorre
Map of France showing where the Benac arms are recorded
The Benac arms were recorded in Bigorre, c. 1663.
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 Benac 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 France.
Origin & History of the Benac Family in France
The family name Benac originates from the historic region of Bigorre, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1663, living within a landscape defined by rugged terrain and strong local traditions. The name itself is likely topographic, meaning it was used to identify people who lived in or near the village of Benac. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were typically involved in agriculture or pastoral life, working the land under the influence of local lords and the church. As the family grew, they became deeply rooted in the social fabric of the Bigorre province, where they navigated the challenges of rural life and the shifting political landscape of the French kingdom. By staying in the same geographic area for generations, the Benac family helped shape the local community and preserved their identity through centuries of regional history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benacus
Latin name for Lake Garda, derived from ancient pre-Roman linguistic roots.
This name
BenacA locative surname denoting someone who originated from a place named Benac.
also spelled
Benak
Benack
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Hautes-Pyrénées, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Bousquet, Jean, Histoire de la Bigorre, 1980
Duclos, Henri, Histoire des anciens comtes de Bigorre, 1884
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
