A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berset family of France.
Reg. 8389 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 à la bande de gu., ch. d'une rangée de losanges d'arg.; ladite bande acc. en chef de trois étoiles d'or, posées en demi-orle, et en p. d'un lion d'arg.”
MaineMaine, c. 1663
Where the Berset Arms Were Recorded
Maine
Map of France showing where the Berset arms are recorded
The Berset arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name in the registers.
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 Berset 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 Maine.
Origin & History of the Berset Family in France
The Berset family name has deep roots that trace back to the French-speaking regions of Europe, particularly areas near the border of modern-day Switzerland and France. The name is often associated with the historical province of Franche-Comté, where families bearing this surname were documented as early as the 16th century. By the mid-17th century, members of the family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, leading to their arrival in North America. Historical records confirm that individuals with the Berset name were established in the region of Maine by 1663. These early settlers were likely part of the wave of French pioneers who navigated the challenging wilderness of the New World to build homes and establish communities. Their presence in Maine during this period highlights the family’s role in the early colonial history of the North American frontier.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berceau
A French term referring to a cradle or a small bed.
This name
BersetA topographic name for someone who lived near a cradle-shaped valley or a place of birth.
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
Maine State Archives, Early Colonial Records of Maine, 1660-1670
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
