A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Delval family of France.
Reg. 1748 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à trois merlettes de sa.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Delval Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Delval arms are recorded
The Delval 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 Delval 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 Delval Family in France
The surname Delval is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In the French language, the name translates to "of the valley," suggesting that the earliest members of the family likely resided in a low-lying area or a river basin. By the year 1663, records confirm that the family was well-established in the region of Flandre, a historical territory that spans parts of modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. During this period, the people of Flandre were known for their strong ties to agriculture and the growing textile industry. Families like the Delvals often settled in these fertile valleys to take advantage of the rich soil and access to water, which were essential for both farming and trade. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the unique cultural identity of the Flemish region during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de la val
Prepositional phrase meaning from the valley.
This name
DelvalA topographic surname denoting someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Delvall
Delvaul
Delvahl
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Départementales du Nord, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la Flandre française, 1663
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
