A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bauwens family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4164 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé, d'arg. à deux huchets renv. et accostés de sa., eng. et vir. d'arg., sur un cotice de douze pièces, alt. d'arg., d'or et de sin.; à la fasce de gu., br. sur le coupé.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Bauwens Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Bauwens arms are recorded
The Bauwens 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 Bauwens 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 Bauwens Family in Belgium
The surname Bauwens is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Brabant region in Belgium. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within this area. The name itself is a patronymic, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Baldwin. Over many generations, the spelling evolved into the form used today as it was passed down through families living in the rural and growing urban centers of the Low Countries. Because Brabant was a central hub for trade and agriculture during this period, families like the Bauwens were often involved in the local economy and community life. Their presence in the historical record by 1737 reflects a long-standing connection to the social fabric of the region, where the family name became a permanent part of the local identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
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'or à trois glands de sin., tigés et feuillés du même, les tiges en bas. C.: trois glands de sin., mouv. l'une seule tige, du même. D.: UT ÆDIFICEM ET PLANTEM.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1842
Where the Bauwens Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Bauwens arms are recorded
The Bauwens arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1842.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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.
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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Bauwens Family in France
The family name Bauwens finds its historical roots in the region of Flanders, a territory that historically bridged the cultural landscapes of France and the Low Countries. The name is derived from the Germanic personal name Baldwin, which translates to a bold or brave friend. During the early nineteenth century, the family was firmly established in the northern reaches of France and the neighboring Flemish territories. By 1842, records confirm that members of the Bauwens family were active participants in the social and economic life of this region. This area was a major hub for the textile industry and agricultural trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and professional paths of early family members. As the name moved through the administrative systems of the time, it became a marker of a lineage deeply connected to the shifting borders and linguistic traditions of the French and Flemish borderlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baldwin
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bold or brave friend.
This name
BauwensA patronymic surname meaning son of the brave or bold friend.
also spelled
Bauwenz
Bowens
Related arms
Bonsersimilar arms
van Soesdyksimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van de provincie Brabant
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
