Map of France showing where the Bethlehem arms are recorded
The Bethlehem arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bethlehem 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 France.
Origin & History of the Bethlehem Family in France
The family name Bethlehem traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area by 1725. The name itself is linked to the ancient city of Bethlehem, suggesting that early ancestors may have adopted the name following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or as a reflection of deep religious devotion. During this period in Bretagne, families often lived in small rural parishes where they worked in agriculture or maritime trades. The name was passed down through generations as the family integrated into the local community, eventually spreading across the region as they moved between villages for work and marriage. This history highlights a family deeply connected to the traditions and landscape of western France during the pre-revolutionary era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beit Lehem
House of bread or house of meat in ancient Semitic languages.
This name
BethlehemA locative surname originating from the biblical town in Judea, denoting someone from that place.
also spelled
Bethlehem
Bethlemme
Bethlemmi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
