A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bernau family of France.
Reg. 9150 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la bande tranchée d'arg. sur sa. Cq. cour. C.: un buste d'homme, posé de profil, hab. de gu., tort. d'arg. et de sa. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Bernau Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bernau arms are recorded
The Bernau 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 Bernau 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 Bernau Family in France
The family name Bernau is rooted in European history and is primarily linked to geographic locations. The name is often classified as a locative surname, meaning it was originally adopted by individuals who lived in or came from a town named Bernau. One significant branch of the family established a presence in the region of Bretagne, France, by the year 1725. During this era, families often moved across borders for trade, military service, or agricultural opportunities. Settling in Bretagne suggests that these early family members were part of the demographic shifts common in eighteenth-century Europe. As they integrated into the local community, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage and their transition into the social fabric of the French province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bern
A Germanic root word meaning bear.
This name
BernauA locational surname referring to someone originating from a place associated with bears.
also spelled
Berno
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
