A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Devault family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0151 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à trois fasces d'or; au fr.-q. de gu., ch. de cinq fleurs-de-lis d'arg., 2, 1 et 2; l'écu bordé d'une engrêlure d'or. C.: un cygne d'or, le vol levé. L. d'or et d'azur.”
HainautHainaut, c. 1450
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Map of Belgium showing where the Devault arms are recorded
The Devault arms were recorded in Hainaut, c. 1450.
Hainaut sat on the border between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a working thing.
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.
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
1440–1493
Reigning in Belgium when the Devault 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 Hainaut.
Origin & History of the Devault Family in Belgium
The family name Devault finds its early roots in the historic province of Hainaut, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1450. At that time, Hainaut was a vibrant region known for its complex network of trade and agriculture under the influence of the Burgundian Netherlands. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive term used to identify individuals living near a specific valley or a low-lying area, as the French prefix "de" indicates origin from a place. Families in this region during the mid-15th century often lived in small, tightly knit rural communities that supported the growing textile industry of the nearby towns. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the shifting political landscape of a territory that frequently changed hands between powerful European dynasties. By settling in Hainaut, these early ancestors helped establish a lasting presence in a region that served as a vital crossroads for culture and commerce in Western Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“D'azur à la bande de sa., ch. de trois étoiles (6) d'or. C.: une étoile (6) d'or. L. d'or et de sa.”
Netherlandsc. 1580
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Devault arms are recorded
The Devault arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1580.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1580
Granting Authority for the Devault Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Devault Family in Netherlands
The history of the Devault family name in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the northern province of Friesland, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1580. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social and religious changes due to the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Families in Friesland often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where names were frequently adapted to reflect local linguistic styles. The name likely evolved from a combination of descriptive terms used to identify individuals by their trade or their specific location within the Frisian landscape. As the family established roots in this coastal environment, they participated in the local governance and maritime activities that defined Frisian life during the late sixteenth century. This early presence suggests that the family was well-integrated into the regional culture long before the name spread to other parts of Europe.
Devault Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
de vault
Derived from the Old French word for a vaulted arch or cellar.
This name
DevaultIndicates a person who lived near or worked in a vaulted structure or cellar.
also spelled
Debehaut
de Bo
Behault
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Duvivier, Charles. Les influences étrangères sur le droit public de la Belgique. 1886
Pirenne, Henri. Histoire de Belgique. 1902
Archives de l'État à Mons, Fonds de la Cour féodale de Hainaut
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
