A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bich family of France.
Reg. 2254 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à une gerbe d'or: au chef d'arg., ch. à dextre d'une tête de chien et à sen. de la partie supérieure d'une tour crén.; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à trois monts d'arg., mouv. de la p., acc. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, rangées en chef.”
FranceAosta, c. 1842
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Map of France showing where the Bich arms are recorded
The Bich arms were recorded in Aosta, c. 1842.
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.
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 Bich Family in France
The family name Bich has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1842. In the French language, the name is often associated with the Breton word "bich," which historically served as a descriptive term or a nickname for individuals living in specific rural communities. During the mid-19th century, families in this coastal area were frequently tied to the land or local maritime trades, which helped shape their social standing within their villages. As the family grew, they became part of the distinct cultural fabric of Brittany, maintaining traditions and linguistic patterns unique to that corner of France. By tracing their presence back to the early 1800s, we see a family that was deeply integrated into the local economy and social life of the region long before the name gained wider recognition.
Bich Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
biche
A female deer or hind.
This name
BichA topographic name for someone living near a place frequented by deer.
also spelled
Bych
Bick
Bik
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales du Finistère, Recensements de population
Deshayes, Albert, Dictionnaire des noms de famille bretons, 1995
Leibovici, Marcel, Noms de famille de Bretagne, 1988
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
