A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Artus family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6577 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
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'or à trois couronnes de gu., rangées en pal. C.: un homme iss., hab. de gu., au rabat d'or; ou: une tête et col de griffon d'or, entre un vol du même.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Artus Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Artus arms are recorded
The Artus 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 Artus 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 Artus Family in Belgium
The family name Artus 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, Brabant was a central hub of trade and agriculture within the Austrian Netherlands, and families like the Artus clan were often integrated into the local economy as skilled artisans or landholders. The name itself is a variant of Arthur, which suggests an ancient connection to the cultural traditions of Western Europe that spread through the region over many centuries. By the mid-1700s, the family was well-established in the local parish records, which served as the primary way for officials to track births, marriages, and deaths in the community. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant transition as the region navigated the complex political shifts between local governance and foreign empires. Their presence in the archives of Brabant highlights a long-standing history of stability and community involvement that defined the lives of many families in the Low Countries during this era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chess rookStrategy, and the defence of a position
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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'azur à onze rocs d'échiquier d'or, 3, 3, 3 et 2, senestrés d'un lion du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Artus Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Artus arms are recorded
The Artus arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Artus 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 France.
Origin & History of the Artus Family in France
The family name Artus carries a deep connection to the cultural landscape of Brittany, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. The name itself is derived from the ancient Celtic name Arthur, which gained significant popularity across France during the Middle Ages due to the widespread circulation of Arthurian legends and tales of chivalry. In the context of Brittany, this name was particularly fitting, as the region shares strong historical and linguistic ties with the broader Celtic world. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the local social fabric of the Breton countryside, living as farmers, artisans, or merchants who helped shape the identity of their parishes. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was well-established in the region, reflecting a long tradition of naming practices that honored both regional heritage and the enduring influence of legendary figures.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. an eagle close or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Artus Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Artus arms are recorded
The Artus arms were recorded in England, 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 Artus 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 Artus Family in England
The surname Artus carries a rich history that traces back to the medieval period, eventually establishing a notable presence in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. The name is widely considered a variant of the ancient name Arthur, which was popularized throughout Britain by legendary tales and folklore. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing the name Artus were living and working in York, a city that served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local commerce or skilled trades, contributing to the steady growth of the city’s population. As these individuals settled in the region, they became part of the social fabric of York, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the broader movement and development of English surnames during the transition into the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Artos
A Celtic term meaning bear or stone.
This name
ArtusA surname derived from the legendary King Arthur, signifying strength and nobility.
also spelled
Artis
Artas
Artois
Related arms
Artasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van Brabant (1737)
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk (2003)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chess rookStrategy, and the defence of a position
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
