A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bess family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9287 · Danish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à deux pignons de trois degrés d'azur, l'un sur l'autre; aux 2 et 3 de gu. plein. C.: deux prob., coupées alt. de gu. et d'arg.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Bess Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Bess arms are recorded
The Bess arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Denmark when the Bess arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Bess Family in Denmark
The history of the Bess family in Denmark is rooted in the fertile landscape of Sjælland, where records confirm their presence as early as 1722. During this period, the name likely functioned as a patronymic or a descriptive identifier within local parish communities. Life for families in eighteenth-century Sjælland centered on agrarian traditions, and the Bess family would have been deeply connected to the seasonal rhythms of the Danish countryside. As the name appears in official church registers from this era, it suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of their village. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple way to identify individuals into a stable family surname that persisted through generations of Danish history. This early documentation provides a clear starting point for tracing the family's long-standing connection to the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. nine billets ar. four, three, and two, within a bordure gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bess Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bess arms are recorded
The Bess arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Denmark when the Bess arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Bess Family in England
The surname Bess has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records placing the family in the historic city of York by the year 1620. During this period, the name was likely linked to the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where surnames often evolved from short nicknames or descriptive terms rooted in Middle English. Families living in York at this time were often part of a bustling urban environment defined by trade, religious shifts, and the influence of the nearby Minster. Because York served as a major administrative and social hub, the presence of the Bess family suggests they were integrated into the local community during a time of significant social change. Over the following decades, the name persisted through parish registers and local legal documents, reflecting the quiet but steady endurance of families who helped shape the character of the Yorkshire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elisabeth
Derived from Hebrew meaning pledged to God.
This name
BessA diminutive form used as a surname indicating descent from a woman named Elizabeth.
also spelled
Bes
Bessee
Related arms
Besvariant spelling
Bezvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rigsarkivet (The Danish National Archives), Kirkebøger (Parish Registers), Sjælland Stift
Nielsen, O., Kjøbenhavns Diplomatarium, 1872
Trap, J.P., Statistisk-topographisk Beskrivelse af Kongeriget Danmark, 1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
bordureA difference between branches of one family
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
