A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Catrice family of Belgium.
Reg. 5152 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois chats de sa.”
BelgiumTournaisis, c. 1737
Where the Catrice Arms Were Recorded
Tournaisis
Map of Belgium showing where the Catrice arms are recorded
The Catrice arms were recorded in Tournaisis, 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 Catrice 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 Catrice Family in Belgium
The family name Catrice has deep roots in the historical region of Tournaisis, which is located in present-day Belgium near the French border. By 1737, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living through a time when the region was frequently shifting between the control of different European powers. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a localized variation of a term used to identify people from specific rural settlements. Because the Tournaisis area was a busy crossroads for trade and agriculture, families like the Catrices were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish communities. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant social change, helping to shape the cultural identity of the region long before modern borders were finalized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Catherina
Derived from the Greek word katharos meaning pure or clear.
This name
CatriceA diminutive form of Catherine, often associated with purity and clarity.
also spelled
Katrice
Catrisse
Catryce
Catris
Katris
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien régime
Dion, Michel, Histoire de Tournai, 1990
Hocquet, Jean-Claude, Le Tournaisis et ses institutions, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
