A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clerc family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4238 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à une écrevisse de gu.”
FranceBesançon, c. 1634
Where the Clerc Arms Were Recorded
Besançon
Map of France showing where the Clerc arms are recorded
The Clerc arms were recorded in Besançon, c. 1634.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Clerc 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 France.
Origin & History of the Clerc Family in France
The surname Clerc is a classic example of a name derived from a person’s occupation during the Middle Ages. In French, the word *clerc* referred to a member of the clergy or a person who possessed the rare and valuable skill of being able to read and write. Because literacy was uncommon, these individuals often served as scribes, administrators, or legal assistants for local lords and church officials. By the time the family was firmly established in Besançon in 1634, the name had transitioned from a professional title into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Living in the Franche-Comté region, the early Clerc family members were likely part of the educated middle class that helped manage the civic and religious affairs of the city. Their presence in the historical records of Besançon highlights how families of that era often built their social standing through their roles as record-keepers and essential community organizers.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à deux étoiles (5) d'arg. en chef et un croiss. du même en p.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Clerc Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Clerc arms are recorded
The Clerc arms were recorded in Genève, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Clerc Family in Switzerland
The surname Clerc is deeply rooted in the history of the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it functioned as a descriptive label for individuals who held roles within the church or possessed the rare skill of literacy. In the medieval period, the term was used to identify a clerk or a scholar, and it eventually transitioned from a professional title into a hereditary family name. By the time members of the family were firmly established in Geneva in 1745, they were part of a society that placed a high value on education and civic participation. During this era, Geneva served as a major intellectual hub, and families bearing this name were often integrated into the city’s professional and merchant classes. Their presence in the city records from the mid-eighteenth century reflects a period of stability and growth, as the family became woven into the fabric of Swiss urban life through their contributions to local trade and administrative affairs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clericus
A person in holy orders or a member of the clergy.
This name
ClercAn occupational surname for a clerk, scholar, or someone employed in a religious office.
also spelled
Clerk
Klerc
Kler
Related arms
Dodoënssimilar arms
Clerkvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Besançon (Série E)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
