Map of Belgium showing where the Guillaume arms are recorded
The Guillaume arms were recorded in Tournai, 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 Guillaume 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 Guillaume Family in Belgium
The family name Guillaume originates from the Old Germanic name Wilhelm, which translates to a combination of words meaning "will" or "desire" and "protection." By the time the name became established in the region of Tournai during the early eighteenth century, it had evolved into a common surname across French-speaking territories. In 1737, records confirm that members of the Guillaume family were living in Tournai, a city with a long history as a center for trade and craftsmanship in what is now Belgium. During this period, families in the region often identified themselves through their specific trades or their connection to local parishes. The presence of the Guillaume name in Tournai suggests that these ancestors were likely part of the urban middle class or skilled labor force that helped maintain the city’s economic stability during the transition into the modern era. As the name spread through the Belgian provinces, it remained tied to the linguistic and cultural shifts of the Walloon region, reflecting the deep roots the family established in the local community long before the formation of the modern Belgian state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à cinq vergettes de gu.; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le tout et ch. de trois écussons de gu.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1527
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Guillaume arms are recorded
The Guillaume arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1527.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 France in this period.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in Belgium when the Guillaume arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Guillaume Family in France
The family name Guillaume originates from the Old Germanic name Wilhelm, which translates to a combination of words meaning will and protection. As the name spread through France during the Middle Ages, it became deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the country. By the early sixteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the region of Lorraine. In 1527, records indicate that members of the family were active within this area, which was then a crossroads of European politics and trade. Living in Lorraine during this era meant the family was part of a unique cultural blend between French and German influences. Over time, the name evolved from a common given name into a hereditary surname that identified families across various French provinces. This transition reflects the broader historical trend of how personal names became permanent identifiers for lineages as populations grew and record-keeping became more standardized.
Guillaume Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Willahelm
A Germanic compound meaning resolute protector or determined guardian.
This name
GuillaumeA French form of William, signifying a steadfast protector or a strong-willed defender.
also spelled
Guillaum
Guillaumee
Geeyom
William
Related arms
Margaritsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de Tournai (baptêmes, mariages, sépultures)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Herbillon, Jules and Germain, Jean, Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Belgique romane et dans les régions limitrophes, 1996
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
