A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Constant family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4216 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
Colours
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'or à un arbre de sin., accosté de deux paons affr. au nat., le tout soutenu d'une terrasse du sec.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Constant Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Constant arms are recorded
The Constant arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Constant Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Constant arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Constant Family in Netherlands
The history of the Constant family in the Netherlands is deeply rooted in the northern province of Friesland, where records confirm their presence by 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their surnames due to the introduction of the Napoleonic civil code. Before this time, many families in rural areas like Friesland used patronymics, which meant a person’s last name was based on their father’s first name. When the government required families to adopt permanent, hereditary surnames, the choice of "Constant" likely reflected a desire to signal stability or a specific personal quality. By settling in Friesland, the family became part of a region known for its strong independent spirit and unique linguistic traditions. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local community, transitioning from traditional agricultural or trade roles into the broader social fabric of the Dutch state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 un taureau de sa.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1476
Where the Constant Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Constant arms are recorded
The Constant arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1476.
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 XI of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XI of France
1461–1483
Reigning in Netherlands when the Constant 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 Constant Family in France
The family name Constant has deep roots in the historical region of Lorraine, where members of the family were documented as early as 1476. During this period, the name likely functioned as a descriptive term, reflecting the steady or faithful nature of the individuals who carried it. Because Lorraine sat at a crossroads between French and Germanic cultures, families in the area often navigated complex political shifts as the region moved between local dukedoms and the influence of the French crown. Early bearers of the name were often associated with the local merchant class or minor landholders who helped maintain the stability of their communities during the late Middle Ages. As the family grew, they integrated into the social fabric of northeastern France, eventually spreading across the country as they pursued roles in administration, trade, and the military. This transition from regional figures in Lorraine to a wider presence in France highlights the way surnames evolved from simple personal identifiers into lasting family legacies.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a human heart gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Constant Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Constant arms are recorded
The Constant arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Constant arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Constant Family in England
The family name Constant has deep roots in the northern English city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to establish their lives and livelihoods. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term, used to identify individuals who were known for their steady character or their unwavering loyalty to a specific cause or community. As the family became part of the local fabric of York, they participated in the daily rhythms of a city undergoing significant social and political changes. By settling in such a prominent historical hub, the early Constant family members helped shape the local identity of the region while maintaining their presence through generations of growth and migration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Constans
Latin term meaning steadfast, firm, or unchanging.
This name
ConstantRefers to a person who is resolute, faithful, and persistent in character.
also spelled
Constante
Constent
Constaunt
Related arms
Constansvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811–1950)
Nederlandse Familienamenbank, Constant
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamen
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
bullValour and generosity
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
