A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berte family of France.
Reg. 0020 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à trois merlettes de sa.”
FranceTour, c. 1725
Where the Berte Arms Were Recorded
Tour
Map of France showing where the Berte arms are recorded
The Berte arms were recorded in Tour, c. 1725.
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 Berte 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 Berte Family in France
The surname Berte has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of Tours by 1725. The name likely originated as a shortened form of Germanic given names such as Bertold or Bertram, which were popular throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. These names were derived from the root word "berht," meaning bright or famous. As surnames became more common to help distinguish individuals in growing urban centers, families often adopted these shortened versions as permanent identifiers. By the early 18th century, the Berte family had established themselves within the social and economic fabric of Tours, a city known for its vibrant trade and religious history. Their presence in the city records during this period suggests they were part of the established citizenry who contributed to the local community through their trades and daily civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
A Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BerteDerived from a Germanic personal name signifying a bright or glorious individual.
also spelled
Berthe
Bertee
Berta
Related arms
Bertavariant spelling
Berthevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Indre-et-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la ville de Tours, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
