A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0420 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, surm. d'un soleil du même et acc. de trois croiss. d'arg.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Benard Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Benard arms are recorded
The Benard arms were recorded in Paris, 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 Benard 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 Benard Family in France
The surname Benard finds its roots in the ancient Germanic name Bernhard, which combines the elements for bear and brave. By the time the family was firmly established in Paris in 1663, the name had become a common fixture in French society, reflecting a long history of integration within the urban landscape. During the seventeenth century, families bearing this name were often part of the rising merchant and artisan classes that helped define the character of the capital. These individuals lived through a transformative era in France, witnessing the consolidation of royal power under Louis XIV and the rapid expansion of Parisian infrastructure. As the family navigated life in the city, they participated in the social and economic rhythms of a nation transitioning into the modern age, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their presence as ordinary but essential citizens of the French state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'azur à trois bes. d'or; au chef de gu., ch. d'une aigle ép. d'or.”
BelgiumTournaisis, c. 1737
Where the Benard Arms Were Recorded
Tournaisis
Map of Belgium showing where the Benard arms are recorded
The Benard arms were recorded in Tournaisis, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in France when the Benard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Benard Family in Belgium
The family name Benard has deep roots in the region of Tournaisis, a historic area in modern-day Belgium that was once a focal point of trade and agriculture. By 1737, records confirm that members of the Benard family were already well-established within this community. During the eighteenth century, the people of Tournaisis lived through a time of shifting borders and administrative changes as the region moved between various European powers. Families like the Benards were typically tied to the land or local crafts, contributing to the social fabric of the rural parishes and market towns that defined the area. Because the name is derived from the ancient Germanic name Bernhard, it reflects a long tradition of naming customs that traveled across Western Europe. The presence of the family in this specific corner of Belgium highlights their role as part of the steady, working population that maintained the local economy and culture during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bernhard
Germanic elements meaning bear and brave or hardy.
This name
BenardA French surname derived from the Germanic name meaning brave as a bear.
also spelled
Benart
Bennard
Benar
Bernard
Related arms
Bernardsame arms
Anostsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
