A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brenot family of France.
Reg. 2069 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois bandes de sa.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Brenot Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Brenot arms are recorded
The Brenot arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Brenot 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Brenot Family in France
The family name Brenot finds its historical roots in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1663. This area, nestled near the Jura Mountains and the border of modern-day Switzerland, was a landscape defined by rugged terrain and a unique cultural identity that shifted between local rule and external influence during the seventeenth century. Families like the Brenots often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they likely participated in the local agricultural economy or regional trades. Because the name appears in parish registers and legal documents from this period, it suggests that the Brenots were recognized members of their community who contributed to the social and economic fabric of the province. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local history of the region, reflecting the resilience and stability of the people who called the Franche-Comté home during this era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bren
Derived from the Gaulish word for a hill or a slope.
This name
BrenotA topographic surname referring to someone who lived on or near a hillside.
also spelled
Brennot
Brenault
Brenaud
Breno
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Besançon, 1663
Bousson de Mairet, Histoire de l'ancienne province de Franche-Comté, 1845
Dunod de Charnage, Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du comté de Bourgogne, 1740
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
