A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berenger family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2333 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au rencontre de cerf de sa.”
BelgiumTournai, c. 1737
Where the Berenger Arms Were Recorded
Tournai
Map of Belgium showing where the Berenger arms are recorded
The Berenger arms were recorded in Tournai, 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 Belgium when the Berenger 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 Berenger Family in Belgium
The Berenger family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of Belgium, particularly within the city of Tournai. By 1737, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, which was then a significant center for trade and religious life in the Southern Netherlands. The name itself is of Germanic origin, derived from the ancient elements for "bear" and "spear," suggesting a lineage associated with strength and military service in the medieval period. As the family settled in Tournai, they became part of the local urban fabric during a time of transition under Austrian rule. Their presence in the city archives during the eighteenth century highlights their integration into the community, where they likely participated in the local guilds and civic life that defined the social structure of the era. This early documentation serves as a vital link to the family's long-standing history in the region, marking their transition from nomadic or rural origins to becoming recognized residents of a prominent Belgian city.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
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)
“De gu. au saut. alésé d'or [Raymond de B., grand-maître de l'ordre de St.-Jean de Jérusalem, en 1365.]”
DauphineDauphine, c. 1663
Where the Berenger Arms Were Recorded
Dauphine
Map of France showing where the Berenger arms are recorded
The Berenger arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Belgium when the Berenger 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Berenger Family in France
The surname Berenger traces its roots back to the Germanic name Beringar, which combines elements meaning bear and spear. In France, the name gained prominence during the Middle Ages as it was carried by various nobles and high-ranking officials. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a strong presence in the Dauphiné region, a mountainous area in southeastern France. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Berenger family were active in this province during a time when the region was transitioning under the authority of the French crown. As the family settled into the local social structure, they became integrated into the administrative and land-owning life of the countryside. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the local culture and governance of the Dauphiné region during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, or and az. on a bend gu. three fleurs-de-lis ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Berenger Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Berenger arms are recorded
The Berenger arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Belgium when the Berenger 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 England.
Origin & History of the Berenger Family in England
The surname Berenger traces its roots to the ancient Germanic name Beringar, which combines elements meaning bear and spear. While the name was well-established in continental Europe during the Middle Ages, it eventually migrated to England through various social and political channels. By 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Berenger family were settled in York. During this period, York was a significant northern center for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely played a role in the local merchant class or the professional life of the city. As the family integrated into English society, they contributed to the local fabric of the region, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their steady presence in the north of England throughout the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berengarius
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bear and spear.
This name
BerengerA name signifying a bear-like warrior or one who wields a spear with the strength of a bear.
also spelled
Berengerh
Berengere
Berengier
Related arms
Beringervariant spelling
Borengervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Tournai, 1737
De Smet, J. J., Histoire de la Belgique, 1864
Pirenne, Henri, Histoire de Belgique, 1900
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
