A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cousins family of Belgium.
Reg. 3686 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
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 la fasce de sa., acc. de trois canettes du même.”
BelgiumBruges, c. 1737
Where the Cousins Arms Were Recorded
Bruges
Map of Belgium showing where the Cousins arms are recorded
The Cousins arms were recorded in Bruges, c. 1737.
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 Cousins 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 Cousins Family in Belgium
The surname Cousins is a patronymic or descriptive name that likely originated from the Old French word cosin, which translates to cousin or kinsman. In medieval times, such names were often given as nicknames to individuals who were related to a prominent local figure or who simply used the term frequently in conversation. By the early 18th century, members of the family were well-established in the city of Bruges. Records from 1737 place the family within this bustling commercial hub, which was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship in the Low Countries. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of European cities, working as merchants or skilled laborers who contributed to the local economy. The presence of the family in Bruges suggests they were part of a mobile population that moved across borders to find new opportunities in trade and industry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cosinus
Latin term meaning a companion or associate.
This name
CousinsA surname denoting a person who is a relative or a kinsman.
also spelled
Cousin
Kuzan
Related arms
Cousinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Stadsarchief Brugge, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking, 1737
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
