Crest and genealogy
Taken from the book, A History of the Azores Islands by James H. Quill The crest is a black lion with red tongue and red claws. The origin: The Bethencourt family came from the region of Caux, located in Picardy, France not far from the site of the 100 year war with England " The Battle Of Agincourt" were almost all the Bethencourt men died in the battle. Family members served as councillors to the King of France and Baillif of Amiens and also held other notable position.The second son of the 14th century generation of this ennoble family ( Jean de Bethencourt 1360 - 1424 ) accompanied by his two nephews, Maciot and Henri Bethencourt entered the service of Enrique the 4th of Castille. He organized an expedition which sailed from LaRochelle, France on May 1, 1402. He landed on Lanzarote one of the Canary Islands and was in controll of the Islands and built a fort and govern the Islands in the name of Castille. He divided the administration among French families that he brought with him and a few native families who had surrendered allegiance to him. He eventually returned to France where he died in Grainville in Teinturiere in 1425. When Jean depated the Canary Islands he left his nephew Maciot in charge. His elder nephew Henri was in control of the family business in Avila, Castille. Maciot shortly thereafter passed on his claims to the Canaries, but Henry of Portugal offered to purchase Maciot's claims to the Islands. He accepted this offer andas part of the contract Maciot was given property in Medeira Islands where he founded the Portuguese Bettencourt lineage. Members of the Bettencourt family of Madeira became early settlers in the Azores Island. At an even later date, descendants of Maciot's brother Henri, entered the Azores as Avila Bettencourt family. The Avila Bettencourt's sometimes used the full name, and sometimes shortened it to just Bettencourt, whether arriving from Madeira or Castille, the Bettencourt on the Azores trace their origins to Maciot and Henri, the two brothers who by mere chance escaped massacre in the great battle of Agincourt, The Azores were discoved Jan. 7, 1430.