Map of France showing where the Berhane arms are recorded
The Berhane 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 Berhane 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 Berhane Family in France
The history of the Berhane family name in the Brittany region of France dates back to at least 1725, reflecting a period when surnames were becoming firmly established in local parish records. While the name is often associated with later migrations from East Africa, its presence in eighteenth-century France suggests a distinct historical path linked to the social and linguistic landscape of the Breton countryside. During this era, families were typically recorded in church registers during baptisms, marriages, and burials, which served as the primary method for tracking lineage in rural communities. The name likely evolved through local dialects and phonetic spellings as scribes documented the lives of residents in the region. By settling in Brittany, early members of the family became part of a complex cultural tapestry defined by maritime trade and agricultural traditions. This early documentation provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family integrated into the local population long before the name gained wider recognition in other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berhan
Ge'ez word meaning light or illumination.
This name
BerhaneDerived from the Ethiopic term for my light, symbolizing guidance and spiritual clarity.
also spelled
Brann
Bran
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
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de l'état civil
Deshayes, Albert, Dictionnaire des noms de famille bretons, 1995
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
