A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grisard family of Belgium.
Reg. 3457 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'herm. à la croix de sa., ch. en abîme d'une étoile (5) d'or.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Grisard Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Grisard arms are recorded
The Grisard 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 Grisard 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 Grisard Family in Belgium
The family name Grisard originated in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. The name is believed to be a descriptive surname, likely derived from the Middle French word "gris," meaning gray. In the social context of the eighteenth century, such names were often used to describe a person’s physical appearance, such as someone with gray hair or gray clothing. As the family established their roots in the Low Countries, they became part of the local agricultural and artisanal communities that defined the region. Over time, the name spread from its early base in Brabant into neighboring areas, reflecting the migration patterns of families seeking new opportunities in trade and land cultivation during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gris
Old French term for the color gray.
This name
GrisardA nickname for someone with gray hair or who habitually wore gray clothing.
also spelled
Grisardt
Grizard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), État civil des communes du Brabant
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
