A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beranek family of France.
Reg. 8862 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Parti: au 1 coupé d'azur sur or, à un ours ramp. au nat., br. sur le coupé, soutenu d'un rocher au nat. en p. et acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or sur l'azur; au 2 de gu. au lion d'or, brandissant un sabre d'arg. garni d'or, et soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un ours iss. et cont. au nat., entre deux prob., coupées d'azur sur or; l. d'or et d'azur; 2° le lion du 2, iss.; l. d'or et de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Beranek Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Beranek arms are recorded
The Beranek arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Beranek 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 Beranek Family in France
The surname Beranek is traditionally associated with Slavic linguistic roots, specifically originating from the Czech word for a little lamb. While the name is most commonly found in Central Europe today, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, as early as 1725. During this period, families often moved across European borders due to shifting political alliances, trade opportunities, or religious migrations. The presence of the family in Bretagne suggests that they were part of a broader movement of people who integrated into local communities while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Over time, the name persisted through generations, serving as a linguistic link to their origins even as the family adapted to the culture and language of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
beran
Old Slavic term for a ram or male sheep.
This name
BeranekA diminutive form referring to a little ram, often used as a nickname for a stubborn person.
also spelled
Beranekh
Beraneke
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Mairey, Aude, Une histoire de la Bretagne, 2017
Svoboda, Jan, Staročeská osobní jména a naše příjmení, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
