
Origin: English, first
found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long
before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Spelling variations: Betts, Bets, Bettes, Bett, Bette and others.
The arms is as follows: Sable Bend Argent Three Cinquefoil
Crest: Leopard
Translation/Interpretation: "Black
with White Bar, Three Cinquefoil." Shield is a "Bend"
representing a knight's scarf - signifies Defense. Cinquefoil is a grass
of five leaves. Three may have been placed upon the shield to represent the Holy
Trinity, although this is merely conjecture.
Motto: "I Show,
Not Boast"
Plants:
Cinquefoil - Hope, Joy
Colors:
Sable (Black) - Constancy, Grief
Argent (Silver or White) - Sincerity, Peace
Notes: Other graphics can be located at: House
of Arms and Free
Coats of Arms. Noting the similarity between these coats leads me to
believe their accuracy. Both shields fit the above description. The
only variation between the two is the color of the cinquefoil: Gules [red]
versus Sable [black]; and the style of the bend. It is possible that these
are two different heraldry artists interpretation of the same description, or
that these are both accurate coats, but for different descendants of the
original Betts, with requisite changes based on family affiliations, etc.
Also, from James Wolf Heraldry: "Coat of Arms: Black, on a silver bend three five leaved flowers.
Crest: A leopard."
My old style version of this COA can be found here.
Image - Copyright © 2004 - 2006, Ken Mraz
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