A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arseneau family of Belgium.
Reg. 0708 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 à la croix d'or, ch. de cinq coquilles de gu. et cant. de vingt croix recr. au pied fiché du sec., 5 à chaque quartier. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. aux armes de l'écu, coiffé d'un chapeau d'abbé de gu. L. d'or et d'azur. T.: deux sauvages de carn., ceint et cour. de lierre, appuyés sur leurs massues.”
Belgiumc. 1735
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Map of Belgium showing where the Arseneau arms are recorded
The Arseneau arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1735.
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 Arseneau 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 Arseneau Family in Belgium
The family name Arseneau carries a history deeply rooted in the regions of Europe that now form parts of modern Belgium and France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Duchy of Brabant by 1735. During this period, Brabant was a central hub for trade and agriculture, placing the family within a dynamic society that was heavily influenced by both local traditions and shifting political borders. Many families with this name were known for their connection to the land and their participation in the administrative life of their local parishes. As the generations progressed, the family name spread across borders, eventually becoming well-known in North America through the migration of French-speaking settlers. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older French naming traditions, reflecting a long lineage of individuals who navigated the complex social changes of the eighteenth century.
Arseneau Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Arsenius
Derived from the Greek word for virile, manly, or strong.
This name
ArseneauA locative or patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Arsenius.
also spelled
Argenteaue
Argenteauu
Argentea
Arzhanto
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles acadiennes, Stephen A. White, 1999
Archives de l'État à Bruxelles, État civil et registres paroissiaux du Brabant, 1735
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
