A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fren family of Belgium.
Reg. 8358 · Belgian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à un frêne terrassé de sin.; au 2 d'arg. au lion de gu. C.: le frêne.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Fren Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Fren arms are recorded
The Fren 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 Fren 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 Fren Family in Belgium
The family name Fren has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a bustling area known for its complex network of trade routes and agricultural centers. Families like the Frens often lived in small rural communities or growing market towns where they contributed to the local economy through farming or skilled craftsmanship. Because surnames were often tied to a person’s location or occupation, the name Fren likely evolved from a local dialect or a specific nickname used to identify these individuals within their neighborhood. Over generations, the family became part of the social fabric of the region, leaving behind traces in local parish registers and administrative documents that track their growth and movement through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vreem
A Middle Dutch term referring to a stranger or foreigner.
This name
FrenA topographic or habitational surname identifying someone who originated from a different region.
also spelled
Frene
Fren
Frenes
de Fren
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van de provincie Brabant
Vannieuwenhuyze, Bram, Brabant in de middeleeuwen: de opkomst van een gewest, 2015
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
