A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bernon family of France.
Reg. 2053 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wolfReward from long service and hard work
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 chev. d'or, acc. de trois têtes de loup du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bernon Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bernon arms are recorded
The Bernon arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bernon 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 Bernon Family in France
The family name Bernon finds its roots in the historical province of Brittany, located in the northwest of France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Bernon family were well-established residents of this region. The name itself is thought to be derived from the ancient Germanic name Bern, which translates to bear. During the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt names that reflected the strength or characteristics of animals found in their local environment. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of Brittany, participating in the local traditions and agricultural practices that defined the area during the seventeenth century. Their presence in this coastal territory suggests a long history of connection to the land and the distinct cultural heritage of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bern
Derived from the Germanic word for bear.
This name
BernonA locative or patronymic surname signifying a descendant of someone associated with a bear.
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
Morvan, Françoise. La douce vie des fées et autres contes de Bretagne. 2010
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Série E
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
wolfReward from long service and hard work
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wolfReward from long service and hard work
