A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Apostle family of Belgium.
Reg. 7739 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois chev. de gu.; au chef d'azur, br. sur le premier chev. et ch. de trois clés d'or, posées en pals, le panneton en haut et à dextre. C.: une clé d'or, en pal, entre un vol de sa.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Apostle Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Apostle arms are recorded
The Apostle 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 Apostle 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 Apostle Family in Belgium
The family name Apostle has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in the southern Netherlands and parts of modern-day Belgium. The name itself is derived from the Greek word apostolos, which refers to a messenger or someone sent on a mission. In many European cultures, such names were often adopted as surnames to reflect a person’s religious devotion or their role within a local parish community. As the family moved through the eighteenth century, they became part of the local social fabric of Brabant, participating in the trades and agricultural life that defined the region before the industrial changes of the nineteenth century. By studying these early records, we can see how the family established their presence in the area long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Apostolos
Greek term meaning one who is sent forth or a messenger.
This name
ApostleA surname derived from the religious title for a disciple or missionary.
also spelled
Apostel
Apostele
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rijksarchief in België, Parochieregisters van Brabant
Stadsarchief Leuven, Bevolkingsregisters en doopregisters
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Leys, O., De familienamen in de Nederlanden, 1987
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