A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Franzen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0208 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois grappes de raisins, pamprées au nat., les tiges en haut; au chef de gu., ch. d'un tigre pass. d'arg., tacheté de sa., cour. d'or. Brl. d'arg. et de gu. C.: le tigre, iss. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
BelgiumGand, c. 1756
Where the Franzen Arms Were Recorded
Gand
Map of Belgium showing where the Franzen arms are recorded
The Franzen arms were recorded in Gand, c. 1756.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Belgium when the Franzen 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 Franzen Family in Belgium
The family name Franzen has deep roots in the historical landscape of Belgium, particularly within the city of Ghent, known locally as Gand. By the year 1756, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents of this bustling urban center. During the eighteenth century, Ghent served as a vital hub for trade and textile production, which likely drew families like the Franzens to settle there for economic opportunity. The name itself is linked to Germanic origins, often serving as a patronymic that identifies a person as the son or descendant of a man named Franz. As these early family members integrated into the social fabric of Ghent, they participated in the daily life of a city defined by its medieval architecture and its role as a crossroads for European commerce. Their presence in the city during this era suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped sustain the local economy through craftsmanship and trade.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. au griffon d'or; au 2 d'azur au Pégase ruant d'arg. Bri. d'azur, d'or et de gu. C.: un vol, d'arg. et d'or. L.: à dextre d'or, d'azur et de gu.; à sen. d'arg., de gu. et d'azur.”
AustriaTransylvanie, c. 1686
Where the Franzen Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Franzen arms are recorded
The Franzen arms were recorded in Transylvanie, c. 1686.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
Town
Transylvanie
First recorded
1686
Granting Authority for the Franzen Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Belgium when the Franzen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Franzen Family in Austria
The family name Franzen has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Austria, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the Tyrol province as early as 1686. During this period, the name functioned as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name Franz, which was a popular choice due to the widespread influence of Saint Francis of Assisi. Families in the mountainous terrain of Tyrol often lived in small, tight-knit communities where names were used to identify a person’s lineage or their connection to a specific household. As the family established itself in the region, they likely worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local traders who navigated the difficult landscape of the Austrian Alps. Over time, the name evolved from a simple reference to an ancestor into a permanent surname that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader social changes in rural Austria, where families began to solidify their identities within the local parishes and provincial records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus
A member of the Frankish tribe or a free man.
This name
FranzenA patronymic surname meaning son of the free man or son of Frank.
also spelled
Franzen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Gent, Parochieregisters van de stad Gent, 1756
De Smet, Antoine, Geschiedenis van de stad Gent, 1968
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
lionCourage, strength and royalty
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
