A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berthier family of France.
Reg. 5826 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut., acc. d'un soleil d'or et de trois coeurs enflammés du même.”
Ile-de-FranceIle-de-France, c. 1663
Where the Berthier Arms Were Recorded
Ile-de-France
Map of France showing where the Berthier arms are recorded
The Berthier arms were recorded in Ile-de-France, c. 1663.
Ile-de-France is the country around Paris, and proximity to the court mattered. Families who served the crown were rewarded with land near it, and land near the capital carried arms almost as a matter of course.
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 Berthier 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 Ile-de-France.
Origin & History of the Berthier Family in France
The surname Berthier is rooted in the ancient Germanic name Berht-hari, which translates to bright army or famous warrior. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the Île-de-France region. Records from 1663 confirm their presence in this area, which served as the historical heart of the French monarchy. During this period, families with this name often worked as skilled artisans, merchants, or local administrators. Because the region was a center for trade and government, the Berthier family likely benefited from the economic stability of the Parisian basin. Over time, the name spread from these local roots to become a recognized part of the French social landscape, reflecting the transition from medieval naming traditions to the more formal record-keeping practices of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
A Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BerthierA diminutive form derived from Germanic roots signifying a bright or famous soldier.
also spelled
Berthyer
Berthie
Berthiere
Bertier
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
Archives nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
