A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Az family of Belgium.
Reg. 6813 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. à la croix d'azur; au lambel de gu., en chef, br. sur le tout.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Az Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Az arms are recorded
The Az 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 Az 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 Az Family in Belgium
The family name Az carries a history rooted in the fertile lands of the Duchy of Brabant, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, this region was a bustling hub of trade and agriculture under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy. Families living in Brabant at this time were often deeply connected to the local parish systems, which served as the primary method for documenting births, marriages, and deaths. The name itself is remarkably short, which suggests it may have originated as a shorthand or a phonetic recording of a longer name used in the local dialect. As the family navigated the social shifts of the Low Countries, they likely worked as skilled laborers or merchants who contributed to the steady economic growth of the region. By settling in this area, the early members of the Az family became part of a long tradition of resilience and community building that defined life in Brabant during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Asa
Hebrew origin meaning healer or physician.
This name
AzA shortened surname variant likely denoting a family of healers or those associated with the name Asa.
also spelled
Aas
Aatz
Az
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Archives: City Archives of Leuven (Stadsarchief Leuven), Bevolkingsregisters en burgerlijke stand
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
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
cross symbolChristian faith and service
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
