A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fonck family of Belgium.
Reg. 6768 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un bouc ramp. d'arg., accorné d'or. C.: une flamme au nat., entre un vol d'arg.”
BelgiumBruges, c. 1737
Where the Fonck Arms Were Recorded
Bruges
Map of Belgium showing where the Fonck arms are recorded
The Fonck arms were recorded in Bruges, c. 1737.
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 Fonck 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 Fonck Family in Belgium
The family name Fonck has deep roots in the historical landscape of Flanders, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Bruges as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Bruges was a vital center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Foncks often integrated into the urban economy as skilled workers or merchants. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic or Dutch terms related to personal characteristics or specific occupations common in the Low Countries. As the family established their presence in the region, they became part of the social fabric of a city known for its intricate guild systems and maritime connections. By settling in such a prominent hub, the early Foncks participated in the growth of a society that valued both local tradition and international commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Funke
A spark or a small glowing ember of fire.
This name
FonckA nickname for a lively, energetic person or someone who worked with fire.
also spelled
Foncke
Fonckk
Foncka
Fonk
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Brugge, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand en Parochieregisters van Brugge
De Flou, Karel, Woordenboek der toponymie van westelijk Vlaanderen, Vlaamsch-Artois, het Land van den Hoek, de graafschappen Guines en Boulogne en een gedeelte van het graafschap Ponthieu, 1914
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goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
