A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cans family of Belgium.
Reg. 1016 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois roses de gu.; l'écu bordé d'or.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
Where the Cans Arms Were Recorded
Liege
Map of Belgium showing where the Cans arms are recorded
The Cans 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 Cans 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 Cans Family in Belgium
The family name Cans has deep roots in the region of Liège, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During this period, Liège was a prominent industrial and cultural hub known for its metalwork and coal mining. Families in this area often took names based on their specific trade, their physical traits, or the locations where they resided. The name Cans likely evolved from these local linguistic traditions, reflecting the unique dialect spoken in the Meuse River valley. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily commerce and community life of the city. By staying in the region for generations, the early members of the Cans family helped build the history of Liège as it transitioned through the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cano
A Latin term referring to a grey-haired or hoary person.
This name
CansA patronymic or descriptive surname likely denoting an ancestor with grey hair.
also spelled
Canse
Kanse
Canset
Kans
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, 1737
Kupper, Jean-Louis, Liège et l'Église impériale, XIe-XIIe siècles, 1981
Stiennon, Jacques, Histoire de Liège, 1991
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roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
