A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Argent family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6425 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'arg.; au chef d'or, ch. de trois étoiles de gu.”
ChampagneChampagne, c. 1826
Where the Argent Arms Were Recorded
Map of Belgium showing where the Argent arms are recorded
The Argent arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1826.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Belgium when the Argent 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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Argent Family in Belgium
The family name Argent carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Western Europe, with its origins often linked to the linguistic traditions of the French-speaking regions. While the family maintained a documented presence in the Champagne province of France by 1826, their movement into neighboring Belgium was a natural progression driven by the close economic and social ties between these areas during the nineteenth century. As families migrated across these borders, the name often served as a marker of their professional or geographical identity within the local communities. In Belgium, members of the family integrated into the developing industrial and agricultural sectors, contributing to the growth of towns that were rapidly expanding during this era. Their transition from France to Belgium reflects the broader patterns of movement that defined the lives of many families seeking new opportunities in the heart of Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. three covered cups and a chief ar”
EnglandJohn Argent, c. 1620
Where the Argent Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Argent arms are recorded
The Argent arms were recorded in John Argent, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Argent arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Argent Family in England
The family name Argent emerged in England as a descriptive surname, likely originating from the Old French word for silver. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that the family was integrated into the local community during a period when York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration. While the name may have initially identified individuals associated with the metalworking trades or those with a fair complexion, it soon became a fixed family identifier passed down through generations. These early residents of York lived through a time of significant social change, and their presence in city records reflects the steady growth of established families in northern England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Argentum
Latin term for the precious metal silver.
This name
ArgentRefers to a person who worked with silver or possessed the color of silver.
also spelled
Argant
Arzhant
Argente
Arjant
Argint
Related arms
Inglis de Cramondsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
State Archives in Belgium (Archives de l'État en Belgique). État civil, Province de Hainaut. 1830–1850
Departmental Archives of the Marne (Archives départementales de la Marne). Recensement de la population de la Marne. 1826
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
