A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berland family of France.
Reg. 0744 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur semé d'étoiles d'or; à deux merlans adossés d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
PoitouPoitou, c. 1663
Where the Berland Arms Were Recorded
Poitou
Map of France showing where the Berland arms are recorded
The Berland arms were recorded in Poitou, c. 1663.
Poitou was western French farming country, divided among a large number of small landed families. Its gentry were numerous and modest, and even a small estate was enough to justify a shield.
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 Berland 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 Poitou.
Origin & History of the Berland Family in France
The family name Berland has deep roots in the historic province of Poitou, France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. The name is believed to be a variation of the ancient Germanic name Berilo, which combines elements meaning bear and bright or famous. During the seventeenth century, families in the Poitou region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trade. As the name spread throughout western France, it became associated with the distinct cultural identity of the Poitou people. Many individuals with this surname were part of the rural society that shaped the local economy and traditions of the region during the early modern period. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local parish registers, reflecting the steady growth and influence of the Berland lineage in French history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ber
Derived from the Germanic element meaning bear.
This name
BerlandA diminutive form referring to a brave or strong person like a bear.
also spelled
Berlandd
Berlande
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Beauchet-Filleau, Henri, Dictionnaire historique et généalogique des familles du Poitou, 1891
Archives Départementales de la Vienne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
