A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cordonnier family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9215 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
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. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois têtes et cols de boeuf du même, les deux du chef affr.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Cordonnier Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Cordonnier arms are recorded
The Cordonnier arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Cordonnier arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Cordonnier Family in Belgium
The surname Cordonnier is a classic occupational name that originated in the French-speaking regions of Europe, specifically identifying an ancestor who worked as a shoemaker or leather worker. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historical Duchy of Brabant, a region that now spans parts of modern-day Belgium. Records from 1737 confirm that members of the family were integrated into the local community during this period, likely contributing to the vibrant trade and craft guilds that defined Brabant’s economy. Because the name was tied to a specific profession, it was common for families to adopt it as they settled into urban centers where skilled artisans were in high demand. Over time, the Cordonnier family became part of the social fabric of the region, reflecting the broader history of labor and migration that shaped the development of the Belgian provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
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 six annelets d'or.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Cordonnier Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cordonnier arms are recorded
The Cordonnier arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Belgium when the Cordonnier 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Cordonnier Family in France
The surname Cordonnier originates from the French word for a shoemaker, marking it as a classic occupational name that emerged during the Middle Ages. As people began to adopt permanent surnames to distinguish themselves in growing towns, individuals who crafted leather footwear were identified by their trade. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Brittany region of France. Records confirm that members of the Cordonnier family were living in this area by 1663, likely contributing to the local economy through their traditional craftsmanship. Over time, the name spread from these early roots in the western provinces to various other parts of the country, reflecting the movement of skilled workers who carried their professional identity as a family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cordo
Latin term for leather or hide.
This name
CordonnierAn occupational surname for a shoemaker or leather worker.
also spelled
Cordonnyer
Cordonnie
Cordonyay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters: Brabant
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Notariële archieven van het hertogdom Brabant
Carnoy, Albert, Origines des noms de famille en Belgique, 1953
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
