A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belva family of Belgium.
Reg. 4091 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu.; au chef d'or, ch. de trois merlettes d'azur.”
BelgiumLuxemb, c. 1737
Where the Belva Arms Were Recorded
Luxemb
Map of Belgium showing where the Belva arms are recorded
The Belva arms were recorded in Luxemb, 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 Belva 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 Belva Family in Belgium
The history of the Belva family name is deeply rooted in the rural landscapes of the Luxembourg region during the early eighteenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area by 1737, living within a society shaped by agricultural traditions and local parish life. During this period, families in the region often lived in small, tightly knit communities where their surname became tied to specific village lands and local trade. Because Luxembourg served as a crossroads for various European cultures, the name likely evolved through regional dialects and the administrative record-keeping practices of the time. These early ancestors were part of a resilient population that navigated the complex social and political changes occurring in the heart of Europe, leaving behind a legacy that began long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BelvaDerived from a topographic reference to a beautiful location or a descriptive nickname for a handsome person.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Nationales de Luxembourg, État civil et registres paroissiaux (1737)
Muller, Jean-Claude, Luxemburger Familiennamen im 18. Jahrhundert, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
