A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Besset family of France.
Reg. 0267 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'or à l'aigle de sa.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or. — Ou: D'or au chev. d'azur, acc. en p. d'un arbre de sin., terrassé du même; au chef de gu., ch. de deux étoiles d'arg.”
ForezForez, c. 1663
Where the Besset Arms Were Recorded
Forez
Map of France showing where the Besset arms are recorded
The Besset arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Besset 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Besset Family in France
The family name Besset finds its historical roots in the lush, mountainous region of Forez in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. The name itself is likely derived from the old French word "besset," which refers to a small birch tree or a birch forest. During the seventeenth century, families in the Forez region were often closely tied to the land, working as farmers or local craftspeople who took their identity from the natural features surrounding their homes. Because the region was known for its distinct local customs and strong community ties, the Besset family likely played an active role in the daily life of their village. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage, linking the family to the rugged landscape and the agricultural traditions of the French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Betulla
Latin term for the birch tree.
This name
BessetA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or birch forest.
also spelled
Basset
Related arms
Cellier de Malleveichesimilar arms
Durtaud-Rochefortsimilar arms
Lenglésimilar arms
Bassetvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Forest, Aimé, Histoire du Forez, 1946
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Forez, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
