A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capre family of Belgium.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completedJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De sin. au chev. d'herm.”
The Capre arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Capre 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 Capre traces its roots back to the historical region of Flanders, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. The name itself is likely derived from the Latin word for goat, which suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been associated with animal husbandry or lived near a landmark known for these animals. During the seventeenth century, Flanders was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, and families like the Capres were often integrated into the local community through farming or skilled craftsmanship. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the complex political shifts that defined the Low Countries during this era. By settling in this area, the early Capres contributed to the local economy and helped shape the identity of their community over several generations.
Latin term for a male goat or buck.
