A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Counts family of France.
treeLife, endurance and deep rootsJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or au créquier de gu. Cri: CREQUY !”
The Counts arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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.
Reigning in France when the Counts arms are first recorded.
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.
The history of the Counts family name is rooted in the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Artois. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its strategic importance and agricultural wealth. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive term linked to the social or administrative roles held by early ancestors in the local community. As families moved through the shifting borders of Europe during the seventeenth century, the name traveled alongside them, eventually adapting to the linguistic patterns of new regions. This transition reflects the broader movement of people who sought new opportunities while maintaining the identity passed down from their French origins.
A companion or attendant to a high-ranking official or ruler.
