Map of Belgium showing where the Foltz arms are recorded
The Foltz 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 Foltz 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 Foltz Family in Belgium
The family name Foltz carries a deep history rooted in the cultural landscape of the Low Countries, particularly within the historic Duchy of Brabant. By the year 1737, records confirm that members of the Foltz family were well-established residents of this region, which was then a center of trade and agricultural development under the Austrian Netherlands. The name itself is believed to be a variation of Germanic roots, likely evolving from terms related to the people or the folk, reflecting a long tradition of community identity. During the eighteenth century, families like the Foltz were often deeply integrated into the local parish systems, where they contributed to the social and economic life of their villages. Their presence in Brabant during this period suggests they were part of the hardworking population that navigated the complex political shifts of the era while maintaining strong ties to their ancestral lands.
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 Foltz arms are recorded
The Foltz 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 Foltz Family in Switzerland
The family name Foltz originates from the Germanic word *volk*, which translates to "people" or "folk." In the context of Switzerland, the name likely served as a descriptive term for a person who was part of a specific community or group. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Foltz family had established a notable presence in the canton of Bern. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state governed by a strict patrician class, and families like the Foltz were often integrated into the local agricultural or artisanal economy. Life in the Swiss cantons at this time was defined by strong regional loyalties and the influence of the Reformed Church. Families living in Bern in 1745 were part of a society that valued record-keeping, which helped ensure that names like Foltz remained documented through generations of Swiss history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Volk
Germanic word meaning people or folk.
This name
FoltzA topographic or occupational name for a member of the common people.
also spelled
Feltze
Velz
Feltzer
Felts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Algemeen Rijksarchief, Parochieregisters van Brabant
Archives: Rijksarchief te Leuven, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand en Parochieregisters
Book: De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van Brabant, 1965
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
