A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Criser family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2718 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. à une croisette de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. au lion de gu.; au 4 d'azur à une étoile d'or. C.: un vol d'arg., chaque aile ch. d'une croisette de gu.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Criser arms are recorded
The Criser arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Criser 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 Liege.
Origin & History of the Criser Family in Belgium
The family name Criser has roots that can be traced back to the historic city of Liège in the early eighteenth century. By 1737, records confirm that family members were established residents within this region, which was then part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. During this era, Liège was a major center for metalworking and trade, and families living there were often deeply connected to the industrial growth of the Meuse River valley. The name likely developed as a localized variation of names common to the French and Walloon-speaking populations of the area. As the family navigated life in this bustling urban environment, they contributed to the local economy and social fabric of a city known for its independence and craft traditions. This early presence in Liège suggests that the family was part of the hardworking middle class that helped define the region during a time of significant transition in European history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à trois croix reer. d'or.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Criser arms are recorded
The Criser 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 Criser 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 Criser Family in France
The history of the Criser family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged and independent region of Bretagne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this coastal province, which was known for its distinct Celtic heritage and maritime culture. During the seventeenth century, families in this area often lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or sailors. Life in Bretagne at this time was defined by a strong sense of local identity and a reliance on the land and the sea. As the Criser family navigated the social and economic changes of the French monarchy, they remained part of the traditional fabric of Breton society. Their presence in the region during this era suggests a long-standing connection to the local parishes and the specific regional customs that shaped life in western France before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crispus
Latin term meaning curly-haired or having curled hair.
This name
CriserA surname derived from a nickname for someone with curly hair.
also spelled
Kroisier
Kroazye
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Liège, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Liège
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
