A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alem family of Belgium.
Reg. 7213 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 gu. à une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, la pointe en bas; à la filière engr. d'or.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Alem Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Alem arms are recorded
The Alem arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Alem arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Alem Family in Belgium
The family name Alem has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, this area was a vibrant center of trade and agriculture located within the Southern Netherlands. Families in this region often identified themselves based on their local geography or the specific towns where they settled. The name Alem likely links back to a place of origin, as it shares a name with a village situated along the Meuse River. By the mid-1700s, individuals bearing this name were part of a society that valued community ties and local craftsmanship. These early ancestors lived through a period of transition as the region moved between different European powers, which often influenced how families recorded their names and moved across the landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalhelm
Derived from Germanic elements meaning noble and helmet or protector.
This name
AlemA shortened form representing a noble protector or one of noble helmet.
also spelled
Alemm
Aleme
Alehm
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Leuven, Parochieregisters van Brabant
Rijksarchief in België, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand en Parochieregisters
Leenders, K.A.H.W., Van Turnhoutervoorde tot Turnhout: Een landschappelijk en historisch onderzoek naar de vroegste bewoning in de Antwerpse Kempen, 1996
Verhulst, Adriaan, Het landschap in Vlaanderen in historisch perspectief, 1999
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
