Map of Belgium showing where the Grages arms are recorded
The Grages arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1620.
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.
Philip III of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip III of Spain
1598–1621
Reigning in Belgium when the Grages 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 Grages Family in Belgium
The history of the Grages family in Belgium is rooted in the fertile landscape of the Duchy of Brabant during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this region, which served as a central hub for trade and agriculture in the Low Countries. During this era, Brabant was a place of significant social and religious transition, and families like the Grages often played roles in local community life or regional commerce. Life for these early ancestors was defined by the rhythms of the rural economy and the complex political shifts occurring under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs. While the specific origins of the name likely relate to local geography or early occupational descriptions common to the region, the presence of the family in Brabant highlights their long-standing connection to the history of the Belgian provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à un gouffre d'azur.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Grages arms are recorded
The Grages arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Belgium when the Grages arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Grages Family in Britain
The family name Grages has roots that trace back to the rural landscapes of Kent during the early eighteenth century. At that time, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and trade, which likely shaped the daily lives of the earliest known members of the family. The name itself suggests a connection to the linguistic shifts occurring in southern England, where local dialects often influenced how surnames were recorded in parish registers. Living in Kent during the 1700s meant that these ancestors were part of a society transitioning through significant social and economic changes. While the family remained deeply tied to the local community, their presence in the historical record provides a glimpse into the lives of common settlers who helped build the foundations of the region. By studying these early records, we can see how the family name became a permanent part of the local history in southeastern Britain.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a gurges (or whirlpool) az”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Grages arms are recorded
The Grages arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Grages arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Grages Family in England
The history of the Grages family in England is rooted in the northern city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling urban environment. The name itself likely evolved from local linguistic patterns in Northern England, where surnames often shifted in spelling based on how they sounded to local clerks and census takers. As residents of a historic cathedral city, the early Grages family members would have navigated a society defined by the transition from the Elizabethan era into the Stuart period. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were part of the established community that helped shape the local economy and social fabric of Yorkshire during this time of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grage
Derived from the Middle Low German word for a gray-haired person.
This name
GragesA surname denoting a person with gray hair or a gray complexion.
also spelled
Gorgis
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Algemeen Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Book: De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van Brabant, 1968
Book: Van Uytven, R., De geschiedenis van de Brabantse steden, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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