A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berns family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2046 · Danish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la tour de gu., ouv. et aj. du champ; aux 2 et 3 d'or au lion d'azur, arm. et lamp. de gu.; à”
Denmarkc. 1680
Where the Berns Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Berns arms are recorded
The Berns arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1680.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 Denmark in this period.
Christian V of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Christian V of Denmark
1670–1699
Reigning in Denmark when the Berns arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Berns Family in Denmark
The family name Berns has deep roots in the island of Sjælland, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1680. During this period, Denmark was transitioning from a feudal society into a more structured absolute monarchy. Families with names like Berns often lived in rural parishes or growing market towns, where they were likely involved in farming, trade, or local craftsmanship. Because the name follows a pattern common to Northern European naming traditions, it likely served as a way to distinguish the family within their local community during a time when surnames were becoming more permanent. Life for the Berns family in the late 17th century would have been defined by the rhythms of the agricultural calendar and the strict social hierarchies of the Danish Lutheran Church. By establishing themselves in Sjælland, the family became part of the long history of the Danish heartland, contributing to the local economy and social fabric of the region for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. two bars embattled sa. in chief three pellets”
CambridgeSoham · Cambridge, c. 1620
Where the Berns Arms Were Recorded
Cambridge
Map of England showing where the Berns arms are recorded
The Berns arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Denmark when the Berns arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Berns Family in England
The surname Berns has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records placing the family in the historic university town of Cambridge by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Cambridge was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, providing a stable environment for families to establish their livelihoods. The name likely evolved as a topographic or habitational descriptor, often linked to individuals who lived near a stream or a patch of burnt land. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of East Anglia, a region known for its strong agricultural traditions and growing urban centers. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent town, the early members of the Berns family were positioned to participate in the significant cultural and economic shifts that defined life in Stuart-era England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bern
Derived from the Germanic word for bear.
This name
BernsA patronymic surname meaning son of Bern, signifying strength or bravery like a bear.
also spelled
Bernz
Bernes
Burns
Berne
Related arms
Barnsvariant spelling
Bernevariant spelling
Dobederecorded with Berns, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rigsarkivet (Danish National Archives), Kirkebøger (Parish Registers), Sjælland diocese collections
Rigsarkivet (Danish National Archives), Danske Kancelli (Danish Chancellery), records of land and census data
Trap, J. P., Kongeriget Danmark, 1958
Steensgaard, Niels, The Seventeenth Century Crisis, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
