A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bersch family of France.
Reg. 1617 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cinquefoilHope and joy
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 une quintefeuille d'arg., entre deux perches afr. du même, posées en pals.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
Where the Bersch Arms Were Recorded
Strasbourg
Map of France showing where the Bersch arms are recorded
The Bersch arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 Bersch 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 Bersch Family in France
The family name Bersch traces its roots to the Alsace region, a territory with a complex history of shifting borders between France and Germany. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Bersch family were established in the city of Strasbourg. During this period, Strasbourg served as a vital crossroads for trade and culture, placing the family in an urban center that was transitioning toward French rule. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a shortened version of a longer Germanic name, reflecting the common naming patterns of the seventeenth century. As residents of a major fortified city, early Bersch family members were part of a resilient population that navigated the social and political changes of the Holy Roman Empire. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were integrated into the local community, contributing to the economic and social life of the region during a time of significant European transformation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berth
Derived from the Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BerschA locative or occupational surname referring to someone living near a bright or prominent clearing.
also spelled
Bersh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Himly, François-Jacques, Chronologie de la Basse-Alsace, 1972
Livet, Georges, Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours, 1980
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cinquefoilHope and joy
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cinquefoilHope and joy
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
