A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alexandre family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4584 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. du champ; au 2 coupé: a. d'azur à une herse de labour triangulaire d'or; b. d'azur au huchet d'or. C.: le lion, iss.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Alexandre Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Alexandre arms are recorded
The Alexandre arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 Alexandre 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 Belgium.
Origin & History of the Alexandre Family in Belgium
The family name Alexandre has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1737. During this period, the name functioned as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name Alexander, which was popularized across Europe by the fame of Alexander the Great. In the social landscape of eighteenth-century Belgium, families with this name were often integrated into the local administrative and agricultural life of the duchy. As the region transitioned through various political shifts, the Alexandre family likely navigated the complex tax and parish registers that defined life in the Low Countries. By maintaining a presence in Brabant, these early ancestors contributed to the cultural fabric of the area, transitioning from a simple reference to a forefather into a recognized hereditary surname that persisted through generations of regional change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev., acc. en chef de deux rameaux de laurier et en p. d'un croiss., le tout d'or; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Alexandre Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Alexandre arms are recorded
The Alexandre arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Belgium when the Alexandre 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Alexandre Family in France
The name Alexandre finds its roots in the ancient Greek name Alexandros, which means defender of men. In France, the name became popular due to the widespread influence of the medieval romance stories centered on Alexander the Great. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the Lyonnais region. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Alexandre family were active participants in the social and economic life of this area. During this period, the Lyonnais was a vital hub for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the family's daily activities and local standing. As the name spread across the French provinces, it evolved from a given name into a hereditary surname that identified families across various social classes. This transition reflects the broader trend in French history where personal names gradually became permanent family identifiers to help local officials keep track of growing populations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alexandros
Derived from Greek words meaning to defend and mankind.
This name
AlexandreA name signifying a protector of men or defender of the people.
also spelled
Alexander
Alexandry
Related arms
Alexandervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van de provincie Brabant
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Leuvens Historisch Genootschap, Geschiedenis van de Brabantse families en hun sociale status, 1995
Willems, J.F., Oude Brabantse familienamen en hun oorsprong, 1850
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
lionCourage, strength and royalty
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
