A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bize family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2093 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une colombe volante d'or, surm. d'une croix pattée du même.”
SaintongeSaintonge, c. 1663
Where the Bize Arms Were Recorded
Saintonge
Map of France showing where the Bize arms are recorded
The Bize arms were recorded in Saintonge, c. 1663.
Saintonge was western coastal country in France, living on salt, wine and the sea. Merchant families bought estates with their profits, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Bize 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 Saintonge.
Origin & History of the Bize Family in France
The family name Bize traces its roots back to the historic province of Saintonge in western France, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Saintonge was a region defined by its proximity to the Atlantic coast and its active role in the salt and wine trades. Families living in this area often found their identities tied to the fertile land and the bustling river ports along the Charente. The name Bize likely emerged from the local linguistic traditions of the region, where nicknames or descriptions of a person’s place of origin often evolved into permanent surnames. By the mid-1600s, members of the Bize family were established members of this rural society, living through a period of significant social and religious change in France. Their presence in the parish records of the time suggests they were part of the hardworking agricultural communities that formed the backbone of the French countryside before the turn of the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
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)
“De sa. à trois poissons nageants d'arg., l'un sur l'autre; à la bande du sec., br. sur le tout.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Bize Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bize arms are recorded
The Bize arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Bize Family in Switzerland
The history of the Bize family in Switzerland is deeply rooted in the social and economic landscape of the Bern region during the eighteenth century. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Bern, participating in the daily life of a city defined by its strict civic organization and guild systems. During this era, families with the name Bize often integrated into the local community through trade, craftsmanship, or agricultural work, which were the primary drivers of the Swiss economy at the time. Because the name appears in official municipal registers during this period, it suggests that the family held a recognized status within the city’s administrative framework. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of life in a growing urban center, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the region as Switzerland moved toward the modern era. Their presence in Bern serves as a clear link to the broader history of families who helped shape the identity of the Swiss cantons through generations of steady industry and civic engagement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bise
A cold and dry north wind blowing in southern France.
This name
BizeA topographic name for someone living in a place exposed to cold winds.
also spelled
Byze
Biz
Related arms
Aubin de Malicornesimilar arms
Meulenaresimilar arms
Ronsard de Glatignysimilar arms
Bisevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales de la Charente-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Book: Delafosse, Marcel, Histoire de la Saintonge et de l'Aunis, 1972
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
