A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Decker family of France.
Reg. 5538 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 un mont d'arg., soutenant un pélican du même.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the de Decker Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the de Decker arms are recorded
The de Decker 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 de Decker 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 de Decker Family in France
The surname de Decker is a classic example of an occupational name originating from the Low Countries, specifically the region of Flanders. In the Middle Dutch language, the word "dekker" referred to a person who worked as a thatcher or a roofer. During the medieval period, people were often identified by the trade they practiced, and these descriptions eventually became permanent family names passed down through generations. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the Flemish landscape. At that time, Flanders was a center of trade and agriculture, and individuals with this name were likely essential members of their local communities who maintained the homes and farm buildings that defined the rural architecture of the era. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, carrying a name that reflected the practical and vital work of building shelter.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dekker
A Dutch occupational term for a person who covers roofs.
This name
de DeckerRefers to a professional roofer or thatcher who installs protective roof coverings.
also spelled
Dedeck
de Deker
Decker
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. 1993
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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
