A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colpaert family of France.
Reg. 3230 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
Colours
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)
“De gu. à trois anilles d'or.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Colpaert Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Colpaert arms are recorded
The Colpaert 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 Colpaert 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 Colpaert Family in France
The family name Colpaert finds its historical roots in the region of Flanders, where members of the family were documented as early as 1663. The name is linguistically linked to the Middle Dutch term "colpaert," which was often used as a nickname to describe a person with a dark complexion or someone who wore dark clothing. During the seventeenth century, families in this area were frequently identified by their trade, their physical traits, or their specific place of residence. As the Colpaert family established themselves in the Flemish countryside, they became part of the local agricultural and social fabric that defined life in the Low Countries. Over time, the name was passed down through generations, marking the family as a long-standing part of the regional history of Flanders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colpaert
Derived from the Middle Dutch word for a blow or strike.
This name
ColpaertA nickname for a person who was known for being a striker or fighter.
also spelled
Colpart
Colpaerdt
Kolpart
Related arms
Colpertvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 1993
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters (Doop-, huwelijks- en overlijdensakten), 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
