Behan Family Crest framed artprint

The Behan Family Crest framed artprint. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Whether it’s a gift to celebrate a milestone birthday, a wedding or a housewarming—this piece is an instant heirloom.

The origin of the name Behan

Behan is an ancient Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Beacháin, stemming from beach, meaning "bee." Translating to "descendant of the industrious one," the sept held ancestral lands in County Kildare and throughout Leinster, where they served as scholars, scribes, and landholders. The name was recorded in early Gaelic annals and medieval administrative rolls, establishing enduring roots across Dublin and the Irish Midlands.

The symbolism of the Behan coat of arms

Rich in protective symbolism, the Behan coat of arms displays a silver shield charged with a bold red chevron, enclosed within a dark border (bordure) studded with gold coins (besants). In classical heraldry, the silver shield represents purity and peace, while the red chevron signifies architectural fortitude and protection. The gold coins on the dark border represent wisdom, wealth, and high civic honour. Positioned above the helm, the crest features a radiant sun in splendour flanked by red wings, symbolising divine light and rebirth. This armorial design is documented in MacLysaght’s Irish Families.

Historical figures

Brendan Behan (1923–1964): World-famous Irish poet, novelist, and playwright renowned for The Quare Fellow and Borstal Boy.
Dominic Behan (1928–1989): Prominent Irish songwriter, playwright, and novelist who composed classic folk ballads.
Sir John Behan (1881–1957): Australian educator, legal scholar, and Warden of Trinity College at the University of Melbourne.

Product details

Ayous wood 0.75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
Paper weight: 189 g/m²
Lightweight & acrylite front protector
Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.