A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cleves family of France.
Reg. 8155 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à la fasce d'or, acc. de trois étoiles du même, rangées en chef.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1622
Where the Cleves Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Cleves arms are recorded
The Cleves arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1622.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 Cleves 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Cleves Family in France
The family name Cleves is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the border regions between France and Germany. By the year 1622, records confirm that members of the family were established in the Lorraine region, an area known for its complex political shifts and cultural blending between Germanic and French influences. The name itself is often linked to the geography of the Lower Rhine, specifically the town of Kleve, which served as a significant seat of power during the Middle Ages. Families carrying this name were frequently associated with the movement of people across these contested territories, often serving as landowners or local administrators. As the family settled in Lorraine, they became part of a diverse society shaped by the Thirty Years' War, which forced many families to adapt to changing borders and new social structures. This transition highlights the family's long history of navigating the turbulent political environment of early modern Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clivus
A Latin term referring to a slope, hill, or rising ground.
This name
ClevesRefers to a person who lived on or near a steep hillside or slope.
also spelled
Kleves
Klev
Cleave
Related arms
Baloursame arms
de Naghelesame arms
Desmaretssimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouteiller, Ernest de. Dictionnaire topographique de l'ancien département de la Moselle. 1874
Cabourdin, Guy. Quand Stanislas régnait en Lorraine. 1980
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
