Map of Belgium showing where the Felts arms are recorded
The Felts arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 Felts 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 Felts Family in Belgium
The history of the Felts family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm their presence by the year 1737. During this period, the name likely emerged as a descriptive identifier for individuals living within this bustling duchy, which served as a central hub for trade and agriculture in the Low Countries. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit communities centered around local parish churches, which acted as the primary keepers of vital records. As the Felts family established themselves in Brabant, they were part of a society transitioning through significant political changes under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs. Their early life would have been defined by the rhythms of rural labor and the specific cultural traditions of the Brabantine people, who maintained a distinct identity through their local customs and language. By settling in this region, the family became part of a long-standing demographic history that shaped the development of central Belgium for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé, d'or à l'aigle de sa., sur arg. à trois quintefeuilles de gu., 2 et 1; à la fasce bastillée d'une pièce et deux demies de gu., br. sur le coupé. C.: l'aigle.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Felts arms are recorded
The Felts arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Felts Family in Switzerland
The family name Felts, often appearing in historical records as Fels or Feltz, has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Switzerland. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the canton of Bern, a region known for its strong tradition of local citizenship and organized record-keeping. In 1745, members of the family were active participants in the social and economic life of this area, likely working within the agricultural or artisan trades that defined the Swiss economy at the time. The name itself is thought to be topographic in origin, meaning it was likely adopted by families who lived near prominent rocky outcrops or cliffs, which are common features of the Bernese terrain. As these families moved through the valleys and towns, they maintained their connections to their home parishes, ensuring that their names were preserved in the official registers that tracked births, marriages, and community standing. This period in Bern represents a vital chapter for the family, marking a time when they were deeply integrated into the structured society of the Old Swiss Confederacy.
Felts Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Felt
Derived from the Germanic word for field or open land.
This name
FeltsA topographic surname for someone who lived near or worked on a field.
also spelled
Feltze
Velz
Feltzer
Felts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van de provincie Brabant
Book: Warlop, Ernest, The Flemish Nobility before 1300 (1975)
Book: Van Uytven, Raymond, Geschiedenis van Brabant van het hertogdom tot heden (2004)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cinquefoilHope and joy
