A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bence family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7136 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, acc. en chef de deux molettes du même et en p. d'une Foi d'arg.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bence Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bence arms are recorded
The Bence arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Bence 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 Bence Family in France
The family name Bence has deep roots in the historical province of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub with its own traditions and social structures. Families living in Bretagne often worked in agriculture or maritime trades, reflecting the rugged coastal landscape of northwestern France. The name itself likely evolved from local linguistic patterns common to the region, serving as a way to identify individuals within their tight-knit rural communities. As these early ancestors settled into their lives, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the province, contributing to the local economy and the unique heritage of the Breton people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a cross betw. four frets gu. a castle of the first”
SuffolkThornton Hall · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Bence Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Bence arms are recorded
The Bence arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Bence arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Bence Family in England
The family name Bence has deep roots in the English county of Suffolk, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered to be a variant of the medieval personal name Benne, which itself evolved from the name Benedict. During the 1600s, the Bence family became prominent figures in the local society of Suffolk, particularly within the region of Aldeburgh. Many members of the family served as local officials and merchants, playing an active role in the economic and civic life of the coastal towns. Because Suffolk was a major center for the wool trade and maritime commerce during this era, the family likely benefited from the region's prosperity. By 1620, the Bence name was already associated with land ownership and community leadership, marking the family as a notable part of the local gentry in East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin term meaning blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BenceA French variant derived from the Latin word for blessed or fortunate.
also spelled
Bense
Bens
Related arms
Bancesame arms
Adamsimilar arms
Auxsimilar arms
Collet de Cantelousimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 1977
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
