A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berty family of Belgium.
Reg. 0337 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or au griffon de sa. C.: une tête de lion de sa. [V. Berti dit Rinieri, et Brouchoven dit de Berty.]”
BelgiumBruxelles, c. 1737
Where the Berty Arms Were Recorded
Bruxelles
Map of Belgium showing where the Berty arms are recorded
The Berty arms were recorded in Bruxelles, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Berty arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Berty Family in Belgium
The family name Berty carries a rich history rooted in the heart of Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Brussels as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brussels served as a bustling center of trade and administration within the Austrian Netherlands, providing a dynamic environment for families to establish their roots. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic or French naming traditions, often serving as a variation of names derived from words meaning bright or famous. As residents of a major urban capital, the early Berty family members were part of a society that valued craftsmanship, commerce, and civic engagement. By living in such a prominent city, they were positioned at the crossroads of European culture, which helped shape the identity and longevity of the name throughout the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
Old Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BertyA diminutive or variant form derived from names containing the element bright or famous.
also spelled
Bertie
Related arms
Bertivariant spelling
Bertievariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives de la Ville de Bruxelles, Registres paroissiaux (Baptêmes, Mariages, Sépultures)
Archives: Archives générales du Royaume, Fonds de la Chancellerie des Pays-Bas autrichiens
Book: De Smet, Antoine, La vie à Bruxelles au XVIIIe siècle, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
