A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Clerck family of France.
Reg. 9058 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la fasce d'or, acc. de trois étoiles d'arg. C.: une aigle iss. de sa.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the de Clerck Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the de Clerck arms are recorded
The de Clerck 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 Clerck 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 Clerck Family in France
The family name de Clerck originates from the Middle Dutch word *klerk*, which translates to clerk or scholar. During the medieval period, this name was typically given to individuals who held positions in the church or worked as educated administrators for local nobility. By 1663, records confirm that the family was well-established in the region of Flanders. At that time, Flanders was a center for trade and textile production, and families with this surname often served as record keepers or legal scribes within these busy urban communities. Because the name was tied to a specific profession rather than a single ancestor, it emerged independently in various towns across the Low Countries. As the family grew, they became deeply rooted in the social and economic life of the Flemish landscape, transitioning from their roles as professional scribes into various trades and local leadership positions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clericus
A person in holy orders or a member of the clergy.
This name
de ClerckAn occupational surname for a clerk, scholar, or someone employed in a clerical or administrative capacity.
also spelled
Declerk
Clerck
de Klerk
Clerk
Related arms
Clerckvariant spelling
de Clerkvariant spelling
de Klerkvariant spelling
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
