A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barnaba family of Belgium.
Reg. 7586 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
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'azur à deux mains de carn., parés de gu., rebr. d'arg., mouv. des flancs et tenant ensemble une ancre renv. d'arg. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'azur entre deux d'arg. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BelgiumBruxelles, c. 1737
Where the Barnaba Arms Were Recorded
Bruxelles
Map of Belgium showing where the Barnaba arms are recorded
The Barnaba arms were recorded in Bruxelles, 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 Barnaba 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 Barnaba Family in Belgium
The surname Barnaba finds its historical roots in the ancient Aramaic name Bar-Nabba, which translates to son of encouragement or son of consolation. Over many centuries, this name spread across Europe as it became associated with Saint Barnabas, a prominent figure in early Christian history. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bruxelles. Records from 1737 confirm that members of the family were active residents within the city walls during a period when Bruxelles was a bustling center of trade and administration under the Austrian Netherlands. As the family integrated into the local urban environment, they participated in the social and economic life of the region, helping to weave the name into the long-standing cultural fabric of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barnabas
Derived from the Aramaic bar-nebuah meaning son of consolation or prophecy.
This name
BarnabaA patronymic surname originating from the biblical name signifying a son of encouragement or comfort.
also spelled
Barnabah
Barnabae
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Falk, Gerhard, Names and Personal Identity, 2008
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Wauters, Alphonse, Histoire des environs de Bruxelles, 1855
State Archives in Belgium (Archives de l'État en Belgique), Registres paroissiaux et registres de l'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
