A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Besse family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9581 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'arg., arm., lamp. et cour. de gu. [Comp. de la Richardie de Besse.]”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Besse Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Besse arms are recorded
The Besse arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Besse 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Besse Family in France
The family name Besse originates from the French word *besse*, which historically referred to a birch tree. In the medieval period, surnames often identified people by the natural landmarks near their homes, suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely lived in or near a birch forest. By 1663, records confirm that the family was well-established in the Auvergne region of central France. This area is defined by its rugged volcanic mountains and isolated valleys, which encouraged families to remain in the same villages for many generations. During the seventeenth century, the Besse family members in this region were typically involved in local agriculture and trade. Their presence in the Auvergne landscape reflects the deep connection between rural French families and the specific geography of their ancestral lands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., surm. d'une étoile (5) d'arg.; au 2 d'azur à un château composé d'un mur non-crénelé flanqué de deux tours, le tout d'arg., maçonné de sa., le mur ouv. du champ; au 3 bandé de sa. et d'arg. de huit pièces.”
SwitzerlandValais, c. 1745
Where the Besse Arms Were Recorded
Valais
Map of Switzerland showing where the Besse arms are recorded
The Besse arms were recorded in Valais, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Besse Family in Switzerland
The Besse family has deep roots in the rugged landscape of the Swiss canton of Valais, where records confirm their presence as early as 1745. The name is believed to originate from the French word for the birch tree, suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors may have lived near a prominent grove or a forest of these trees. In the mountainous environment of Valais, families often settled in specific valleys or villages, developing strong ties to the land through farming and alpine herding. By the mid-18th century, the Besse name was already well-established within the local social structure, marking them as part of the traditional communities that shaped the region’s unique culture. These early generations navigated the challenges of high-altitude life, contributing to the growth and identity of their mountain parishes through generations of steady labor and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
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)
“Gu. the limb of a tree with two leaves in bend ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Besse Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Besse arms are recorded
The Besse 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 France when the Besse 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 Besse Family in England
The surname Besse has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Besse family were well-established residents in this area. The name is often linked to the Old French word "besse," which was a term used to describe a birch tree. It is likely that the family name originated as a topographical identifier, meaning the first people to carry the name lived near a prominent birch tree or a birch forest. As families began to adopt permanent surnames during the Middle Ages, this connection to the local landscape helped distinguish them from their neighbors. Over time, the family became part of the social fabric of York, contributing to the local community as the city evolved from a medieval hub into a center of trade and administration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Betula
Latin term for the birch tree.
This name
BesseA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or forest.
also spelled
Bessee
Bes
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
