Map of France showing where the Bergquist arms are recorded
The Bergquist arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Bergquist 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Bergquist Family in France
The surname Bergquist is a classic example of a Swedish ornamental name, which was traditionally formed by combining two nature-inspired words. In Swedish, "berg" translates to mountain and "qvist" means twig or branch. While the name is deeply rooted in Scandinavian naming customs, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, as early as 1663. This suggests that early ancestors were likely part of the professional or military migrations that connected Northern Europe to the French coast during the seventeenth century. These individuals often moved to serve as merchants, skilled craftsmen, or soldiers, bringing their distinct naming traditions into new cultural landscapes. Over time, the name remained a symbol of the family's geographical origins even as they integrated into the local communities of Western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berg and Quist
Mountain or hill and twig or branch of a tree.
This name
BergquistA topographical surname referring to someone living near a mountain branch or twig.
also spelled
Bergi
Bergiss
Berjis
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Hasselberg, Gösta, Svenska släktnamn, 1970
Larsson, Lars Olof, Det medeltida Västergötland, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
