A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Herard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4657 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à un cygne d'or, bq. et m. de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'or à un coeur de gu., br. sur deux flèches d'arg., passées en saut., les pointes en bas. C.: le cygne.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Herard arms are recorded
The Herard arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Herard 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 Liege.
Origin & History of the Herard Family in Belgium
The family name Herard has deep roots in the region of Liège, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During this period, Liège was a prominent industrial and cultural hub within the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, a territory that functioned with a unique level of independence before the later formation of modern Belgium. Families in this area often worked in skilled trades or agriculture, contributing to the bustling economy of the Meuse River valley. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic naming traditions, which were common among the local population as they navigated the complex social and political changes of the eighteenth century. By establishing themselves in this historic city, the early Herards became part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the identity of the Walloon region through their daily work and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef de trois colombes rangées d'arg. et en p. d'un lion d'or.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Herard arms are recorded
The Herard arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1663.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Belgium when the Herard 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 Herard Family in France
The family name Herard has deep roots in the northeastern region of France known as Lorraine. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already well-established in this area. The name itself is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Hariwald, which combines the words for army and rule. During the seventeenth century, Lorraine was a crossroads for many different cultures and shifting political borders. Families like the Herards often lived through periods of significant change as the region transitioned between the influence of the Holy Roman Empire and the French monarchy. Because Lorraine was a center for trade and agriculture, the early Herard family likely played a role in the local community life of their villages. Their presence in the historical record during the 1600s highlights a long tradition of settlement in the rugged and historically rich landscape of eastern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
Germanic root meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
HerardA surname of Germanic origin meaning brave ruler or strong warrior.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Liège (Archives de l'État à Liège), Registres paroissiaux (Parish Registers), 1737
Baudouin, Frans, Histoire de Liège, 1985
Kupper, Jean-Louis, Liège et l'Église impériale, 1981
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
lionCourage, strength and royalty
