A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Claes family of Belgium.
Reg. 7205 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. au lion de gu. [Une branche de cette famille porte: D'or à la croix de gu.]”
BelgiumHasselt Belg, c. 1737
Where the Claes Arms Were Recorded
Hasselt Belg
Map of Belgium showing where the Claes arms are recorded
The Claes arms were recorded in Hasselt Belg, 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 Claes 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 Claes Family in Belgium
The surname Claes originated as a shortened form of the name Nicolaas, which was a very popular choice in the Low Countries during the Middle Ages. Because people often used nicknames to identify themselves in small communities, Claes became a common way to distinguish individuals before permanent family names were strictly required. By the early 18th century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of Hasselt, located in the modern-day Belgian province of Limburg. Records from 1737 show that members of the Claes family were active participants in the local life of this region, which was then part of the Southern Netherlands. During this era, the family likely worked in trades or agriculture, contributing to the growth and stability of the Hasselt community as it navigated the complex political shifts of the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Victory of the people derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
ClaesA Dutch and Flemish short form of Nicholas meaning people's victory.
also spelled
Claess
Claesen
Klas
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Hasselt, Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters (DTB) van de parochie Hasselt
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 1993
Van Schoonenberghe, E., Hasselt in de 18e eeuw: Een sociaal-economische geschiedenis, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
