A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bes family of Spain.
Reg. 4491 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 une tige coupée de trois lis de [jardin de sin.]”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Bes Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Bes arms are recorded
The Bes arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Bes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Bes Family in Spain
The family name Bes has deep roots in the historical region of Castile, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1722. During this period, Castile was a central hub of Spanish administration and culture, and families living there were often tied to the local agricultural or merchant classes that supported the growing kingdom. The name itself is likely a shortened form or a regional variant of longer surnames common in the Iberian Peninsula, reflecting the way names shifted as families moved between villages and provinces. As these ancestors settled into the Castilian landscape, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their communities through trade and land management. By tracing their presence back to the early eighteenth century, we can see that the Bes family was part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the identity of central Spain during a time of significant transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bessus
Derived from the Latin word for a small coin or fraction.
This name
BesA topographic or habitational name likely referring to individuals from specific Spanish localities or regions.
also spelled
Bess
Related arms
Beessvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias. 1722
Cadenas y Vicent, Vicente de, Repertorio de Blasones de la Comunidad Hispánica. 1987
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
