A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cruce family of France.
Reg. 4478 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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 croix de sa., cant. de quatre molettes (5) de gu.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Cruce Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Cruce arms are recorded
The Cruce arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Cruce 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Cruce Family in France
The surname Cruce is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Low Countries, with documented evidence placing the family in the region of Flandre by the year 1663. The name itself is derived from the Latin word crux, which translates to cross. During the Middle Ages, names of this type were often given to individuals who lived near a prominent roadside cross or to those who had participated in a pilgrimage. As the family established itself in Flandre, they became part of a vibrant society shaped by trade, agriculture, and the complex political shifts of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name evolved through local dialects and regional spelling variations, reflecting the family’s integration into the social fabric of the area. By settling in this region, the early members of the Cruce family contributed to the long-standing cultural traditions of a territory that served as a vital crossroads for European history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
Latin term referring to a cross or a wooden frame.
This name
CruceAn occupational or topographical name for someone living near a roadside cross or shrine.
also spelled
Kruce
Crusse
Cruc
Croos
Kroos
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van de provincie West-Vlaanderen, 1663
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
