A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Courtois family of France.
Reg. 8161 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
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 un cor-de-chasse d'or, acc. de trois étoiles du même.”
FranceFlandre occidentale, c. 1663
Where the Courtois Arms Were Recorded
Flandre occidentale
Map of France showing where the Courtois arms are recorded
The Courtois arms were recorded in Flandre occidentale, c. 1663.
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 Courtois 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 France.
Origin & History of the Courtois Family in France
The surname Courtois originated in medieval France as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed a refined or polite personality. The name is derived from the Old French word "curteis," which translates to courteous or courtly. By the mid-17th century, families bearing this name had established themselves in the region of Flandre occidentale, which is located in modern-day Belgium. During this period, the area was a bustling center of trade and agriculture under the influence of the Spanish Netherlands. Families like the Courtois often lived in small rural parishes where they worked as skilled laborers or landowners. Their presence in the region by 1663 suggests they were part of a stable community that valued social conduct and local integration. Over time, the name spread through the Low Countries as families moved between neighboring towns to find new work or land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cort
Derived from the Latin word cohors meaning a yard or enclosure.
This name
CourtoisRefers to a person with refined, courtly, or polite manners characteristic of a royal court.
also spelled
Courtoix
Courtoie
Kurtoa
Courtoy
Related arms
Courtoysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te Brugge), Parochieregisters van West-Vlaanderen, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
