Map of France showing where the Benjamin arms are recorded
The Benjamin 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 Benjamin 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 Benjamin Family in France
The surname Benjamin originates from the ancient Hebrew name Binyamin, which translates to son of the right hand. While it began as a given name, it gradually evolved into a family name as European societies moved toward hereditary surnames during the Middle Ages. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name had established a firm presence in the Brittany region of France. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1663, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local parish communities. During this era, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit rural villages where names were passed down through generations to maintain a sense of lineage. These early settlers helped shape the local culture of the region before many of their descendants eventually migrated to other parts of the world.
Benjamin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Binyamin
Hebrew for son of the right hand or son of the south
This name
BenjaminA French surname derived from the biblical name signifying a favored or beloved son
also spelled
Benjamen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morice, Pierre-Hyacinthe. Mémoires pour servir de preuves à l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Bretagne. 1742
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
