A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Corte family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4576 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev., acc. en chef à dextre d'un croiss., à sen. d'une étoile, et en p. d'une rose, le tout d'arg: C.: un cerf iss. d'arg., entre un vol de gu.”
BelgiumBruges, c. 1737
Where the de Corte Arms Were Recorded
Bruges
Map of Belgium showing where the de Corte arms are recorded
The de Corte 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 de Corte 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 de Corte Family in Belgium
The family name de Corte finds its roots in the Dutch language, where the term "kort" or "corte" historically described a person of short stature or someone who lived on a short piece of land. By the early 18th century, the family was firmly established in the city of Bruges, a major economic hub in the region of Flanders. Records from 1737 confirm their presence in this historic city, which was then part of the Austrian Netherlands. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local urban fabric, working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped maintain the city’s reputation for commerce. Because Bruges was a center for textile production and international trade, the de Corte family likely participated in the vibrant social and economic life that defined the Flemish urban middle class during the Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
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)
“De sin. à trois pattes d'aigle d'or, les griffes en bas.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the de Corte Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the de Corte arms are recorded
The de Corte 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 Belgium when the de Corte 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 Corte Family in France
The family name de Corte finds its roots in the linguistic landscape of the Low Countries, specifically within the historical region of Flanders. During the mid-seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in this area, as evidenced by records confirming family members were present in Flanders by 1663. The name itself is descriptive in nature, likely originating from the Middle Dutch word "kort," which translates to "short." In the context of medieval naming conventions, such a surname was often used as a nickname to distinguish individuals based on their physical stature or perhaps their concise manner of speaking. As the family moved and interacted within the French-speaking territories near the border, the name adapted to the local language while maintaining its original meaning. This transition reflects the broader history of families living in the fluid cultural zones between the Flemish-speaking north and the French-speaking south, where names often evolved to suit the dominant language of the local administration and community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
curtis
Latin term for an enclosed courtyard or a farmstead.
This name
de CorteRefers to someone who lived near or worked at a courtyard or manor.
also spelled
Corte
de Korte
Related arms
Cortevariant spelling
Corte (de) dit Curtiusvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
legStrength and swiftness
