Map of Belgium showing where the Dekay arms are recorded
The Dekay arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Dekay 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 Brabant.
Origin & History of the Dekay Family in Belgium
The family name Dekay traces its roots to the historical region of Brabant, where members of the family were documented as early as 1737. During this period, Brabant was a central hub of trade and agriculture within the Low Countries, and families like the Dekays often lived in close-knit communities centered around local parishes and market towns. The name itself likely evolved from a geographical description or a reference to a specific local landmark, as was common practice for surnames developing in the region during the eighteenth century. As the family moved through these Dutch and Flemish territories, they were part of a society that valued skilled craftsmanship and land management. By maintaining a presence in the region during the mid-1700s, the early Dekays were witnesses to a time of significant social and economic transition in Western Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
kai
A Germanic or Frisian term referring to a quay or wharf.
This name
DekayA topographic name for someone who lived near a wharf or landing place.
also spelled
Quay
de Quaye
de Quai
de Kay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Antwerpen, Doopregisters van de Sint-Jacobskerk (1730–1740)
Rijksarchief in België, Parochieregisters van het Hertogdom Brabant
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Leys, O., De familienamen in de Nederlanden, 1987
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
leafHappiness and abundance
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
leafHappiness and abundance
