A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beauprez family of Belgium.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une navette de tisserand de gu., posée en pal.”
The Beauprez 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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Beauprez arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Beauprez originates from the historic region of Brabant, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1737. The name itself is derived from the French words "beau" and "pré," which translate to "beautiful meadow." This suggests that the name was likely a topographic surname, given to families who lived near a scenic or notable pasture. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a bustling area known for its agricultural productivity and trade, providing a stable environment for families to establish their roots. As the name spread through the region, it became a marker of those connected to the rural landscape of the Low Countries. The Beauprez family likely lived as farmers or landholders who took pride in the natural beauty of the meadows they tended.
Beautiful meadow or field.
