A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clef family of France.
Reg. 0434 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux clés d'arg., passées en saut., les pannetons en bas.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Clef Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Clef arms are recorded
The Clef 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Clef arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the Clef Family in France
The family name Clef is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Flanders region, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, the name was likely associated with the linguistic and cultural shifts occurring in the Low Countries. The term itself carries a connection to the French word for key, which suggests that the original bearers of the name may have held positions of responsibility or lived near a significant gateway or lock in the local canal systems. As the family established themselves in this vibrant trade hub, they became part of the complex social fabric of the region. Their early history reflects the typical movement and settlement patterns of families living in the coastal areas of Europe during the seventeenth century. By remaining in this area, the family contributed to the local economy and the evolving identity of the Flemish people throughout the generations that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clavis
Latin term meaning a key or a locking mechanism.
This name
ClefA topographic or occupational name referring to someone who lived near a key-shaped plot of land or served as a key-bearer.
also spelled
Kleff
Klef
Cleff
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Algemeen Rijksarchief (General State Archives of Belgium), Parochieregisters van de Zuidelijke Nederlanden (Parish Registers of the Southern Netherlands)
Archives: Stadsarchief Gent (City Archives of Ghent), Poortersboeken (Citizenship Records)
Book: De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van de Vlaamse familienamen, 1974
Book: Mansion, J., De voornaamste Vlaamse familienamen, 1941
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
