A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barat family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1522 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 pals d'azur.”
BelgiumTournaisis, c. 1737
Where the Barat Arms Were Recorded
Tournaisis
Map of Belgium showing where the Barat arms are recorded
The Barat arms were recorded in Tournaisis, c. 1737.
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 Barat 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 Barat Family in Belgium
The family name Barat has deep roots in the historical region of Tournaisis, located in the western part of modern-day Belgium. By 1737, records confirm that members of the Barat family were firmly established in this area, which was a significant crossroads for trade and agriculture near the French border. During the eighteenth century, the people of Tournaisis lived under a complex system of local customs and shifting political rule, which influenced how families like the Barats documented their lives. The name itself likely originated from descriptive terms used in Old French, reflecting the occupations or personal traits of ancestors who lived in the rural communities surrounding the city of Tournai. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the local economy and contributing to the development of their parishes through generations of steady work and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
legStrength and swiftness
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 une patte d'oie en pal ; au chef d'or, ch. de trois glands de sin., feuillés du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1596
Where the Barat Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Barat arms are recorded
The Barat arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1596.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in Belgium when the Barat 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Barat Family in France
The family name Barat has deep roots in the historical region of Lorraine, where members of the family were documented as early as 1596. During this period, Lorraine was a duchy with a distinct cultural identity that bridged the gap between French and Germanic influences. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the Old French word "barat" referred to trickery, commerce, or a clever exchange. This suggests that early ancestors may have been involved in trade or local markets, where a quick wit and sharp negotiation skills were essential for success. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the local social fabric, living through a time of significant political shifts as the Duchy of Lorraine gradually moved toward integration with the French kingdom. By settling in this area, the Barat family participated in the complex history of a borderland that valued both agricultural labor and the growing influence of town-based mercantile life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barat
Derived from the Old French word barater meaning to trade or barter.
This name
BaratAn occupational surname for a merchant or someone involved in trade and exchange.
also spelled
Barad
Bara
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien comté de Hainaut, 1737
Hocquet, Jean-Claude, Tournai et le Tournaisis au XVIIIe siècle, 1985
Piérard, Christiane, Histoire de Tournai, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
legStrength and swiftness
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
