A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Braz family of Belgium.
Reg. 5288 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. au lion de gu.; au 2 d'azur à trois fasces d'or; au 3 d'arg. à la rose de gu., bout. d'or, barbée de sin., tigée et feuillée du dernier; au 4 d'azur à sept los. d'or, 3, 3 et 1, accolées et aboutées. C.: le lion du 1, iss.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
Where the Braz Arms Were Recorded
Liege
Map of Belgium showing where the Braz arms are recorded
The Braz arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Braz 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 Liege.
Origin & History of the Braz Family in Belgium
The family name Braz has deep roots that connect to the cultural landscape of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège during the eighteenth century. By 1737, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within this region, which was then a prominent center for trade and craftsmanship in modern-day Belgium. The name itself is often linked to linguistic variations of the word for brass or copper, suggesting that early ancestors may have been involved in the metalworking industries that defined the economy of the Meuse valley. As the family navigated life in Liège, they became part of a society shaped by both French and Germanic influences. Their presence in the city archives during this period highlights their integration into a community known for its skilled artisans and long-standing civic traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brachium
Latin term for an arm or a branch.
This name
BrazA topographic name for someone living near a branch of a river or a forest.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Liège, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Liège
Archives de l'État à Liège, Cour de justice des échevins de Liège
Kupper, Jean-Louis, Liège et l'Église impériale, XIe-XIIe siècles, 1981
Stiennon, Jacques, Histoire de Liège, 1991
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
