A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clap family of Belgium.
Reg. 6846 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la bande échiq. de gu. et d'arg., côtoyée de deux bandes d'azur, ch. chacune de trois étoiles d'or.”
BelgiumAnvers, c. 1737
Where the Clap Arms Were Recorded
Anvers
Map of Belgium showing where the Clap arms are recorded
The Clap arms were recorded in Anvers, 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 Clap 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 Clap Family in Belgium
The family name Clap has roots that reach back into the historical landscape of Western Europe, with significant records placing family members in the city of Anvers, now known as Antwerp, by the year 1737. During this era, the name was often associated with individuals living in bustling trade hubs where surnames frequently evolved from local occupations, physical traits, or specific geographic locations. Families in the region of Anvers during the eighteenth century were often part of a complex social structure defined by guilds, merchant networks, and the shifting borders of the Low Countries. As these early ancestors navigated the economic and political changes of the time, the name Clap became established within the local community. Through the preservation of parish registers and civil documents, we can trace the presence of these individuals as they contributed to the urban life of one of Europe’s most important historical ports.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
clappe
Middle Dutch term for a chatterer or a noisy person.
This name
ClapA nickname for a talkative individual or someone who made a lot of noise.
also spelled
Clappe
Clapp
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Antwerpen, Parochieregisters: Doopregisters van de Sint-Jacobskerk, 1737
Stadsarchief Antwerpen, Poortersboeken van de stad Antwerpen, 1737
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
