A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bethune family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2316 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. au lion de sa.; au 2 d'azur semé de fleurs-de-lis d'or; au 3 d'azur à sept bes. d'or, 3, 3 et 1, et un chef du même; au 4 d'arg. à deux lions léopardés de gu., l'un sur l'autre. Sur le tout d'arg. à la fasce de gu. (Bethune).”
Francec. 1601
Where the Bethune Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bethune arms are recorded
The Bethune arms were recorded in France, c. 1601.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Bethune 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 Bethune Family in France
The Bethune family name traces its roots to the northern regions of France, where it originated as a locative surname derived from the town of Béthune in the Artois province. By the time the family established a presence in the Brittany region around 1601, they had already built a reputation as influential members of the French nobility. The name is closely tied to the history of the French monarchy, as various members of the family served as trusted advisors, diplomats, and military commanders during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. As they moved into different territories like Brittany, they integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the time. Their migration across French provinces reflects the broader movement of noble families who sought to expand their landholdings and political influence under the changing leadership of the French crown.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois étoiles (5) d'azur: au chef du même, ch. d'une couronne murale du champ. D.: NEC AURO NEC ARMIS [Les barons ont pour supports deux lions d'or, lamp. de gu.]”
BelgiumCourtrai, c. 1845
Where the Bethune Arms Were Recorded
Courtrai
Map of Belgium showing where the Bethune arms are recorded
The Bethune arms were recorded in Courtrai, c. 1845.
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 Belgium in this period.
Leopold I of Belgium
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I of Belgium
1831–1865
Reigning in France when the Bethune arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Bethune Family in Belgium
The Bethune family name has deep roots in the history of the Flanders region of Belgium. By the mid-nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the city of Courtrai, which is known today as Kortrijk. During this period, the family became influential figures in local society and the arts. They played a significant role in the Gothic Revival movement, which sought to preserve and honor the medieval heritage of the Belgian landscape. Through their dedication to architecture and public service, the Bethunes helped shape the cultural identity of their home city. Their presence in Courtrai by 1845 reflects a long tradition of involvement in the civic and intellectual life of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
otterOne who lives life to the full
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a fesse chequy or and gu. betw. three lozenges of the second, for BETHUNE; 2nd and 3rd, ar. on a chev. sa. an otter's head erased of the first, for BALFOUR”
FifeBlebo · Fife, c. 1748
Where the Bethune Arms Were Recorded
Fife
Map of Scotland showing where the Bethune arms are recorded
The Bethune arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1748.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Bethune arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Fife.
Origin & History of the Bethune Family in Scotland
The Bethune family name traces its roots in Scotland to the arrival of French settlers who moved north during the Middle Ages. These early members of the family established themselves in the region of Fife, where they became influential figures in local society and governance. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-entrenched in the area, with records confirming their presence in Fife by 1748. Throughout their history in Scotland, the Bethunes were frequently involved in the legal and religious life of the kingdom. They often served as trusted advisors to the crown and held significant landholdings that allowed them to shape the development of their local communities. Their transition from continental origins to becoming a staple of Scottish life reflects the broader patterns of migration and social integration that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Betun
A Celtic or Gaulish term referring to a birch tree.
This name
BethuneA habitational name derived from the town of Béthune in northern France.
also spelled
Betune
Bethunne
Bethun
Betoun
Beaton
Related arms
Beatonvariant spelling
Betunevariant spelling
de Heererecorded with Bethune, same area
du Toictrecorded with Bethune, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Du Chesne, André, Histoire généalogique de la maison de Béthune, 1639
Moréri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1759
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de la famille de Béthune, Série E
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
otterOne who lives life to the full
