A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berth family of France.
Reg. 6096 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 deux fleurs-de-lis d'azur, sur gu. à l'arbre de sin.; au chev. ployé d'or, br. sur la division.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Berth Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Berth arms are recorded
The Berth 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 Berth 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 Berth Family in France
The family name Berth traces its historical roots to the rugged and culturally distinct region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this coastal province, where they likely lived as part of the local agrarian or maritime communities. The name itself is thought to be derived from ancient Germanic or Old French linguistic roots, potentially relating to terms for brightness or noble strength, which were common naming conventions during the medieval period. As the family settled into the Breton landscape, they became part of a society shaped by strong regional traditions and a unique Celtic heritage. Over the following generations, the Berth family remained connected to the social and economic life of the province, contributing to the local history that defines this part of France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
A Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BerthDerived from ancient Germanic roots signifying a person who is bright, shining, or renowned.
also spelled
Berthe
Bertht
Berthh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Documents notariés et état civil)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
