Map of Belgium showing where the Jacks arms are recorded
The Jacks 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 Jacks 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 Jacks Family in Belgium
The history of the Jacks family in Belgium is rooted in the historic city of Tournai, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Tournai served as a vital center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Jacks were often integrated into the local urban fabric through skilled labor or mercantile activities. The name itself likely evolved as a patronymic variation, serving as a way to identify individuals within the community during a time when surnames were becoming increasingly fixed in official parish registers. By living in a city that frequently shifted between regional powers, the early members of the Jacks family navigated a complex social landscape that required them to adapt to changing administrative systems and local customs. Their documented presence in Tournai provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family established its roots in the region before expanding into other parts of the Low Countries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
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 au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois épis d'or.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1664
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Map of France showing where the Jacks arms are recorded
The Jacks arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1664.
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 Jacks 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 Jacks Family in France
The family name Jacks traces its roots in France to the historic region of Lorraine, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1664. During this period, Lorraine served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic cultures, often caught in the middle of shifting political borders and regional conflicts. Families living in this area were frequently involved in agriculture or skilled trades, contributing to the local economy while navigating the complex social structures of the seventeenth century. The name likely evolved from regional naming traditions, reflecting the linguistic blend common to the borderlands of eastern France. By establishing themselves in Lorraine during the mid-1600s, these early ancestors became part of a resilient community that survived the turbulent transition of the province into the Kingdom of France. This history highlights a legacy of endurance and adaptation within one of the most culturally significant regions in European history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à la fasce de sa., ch. de trois coquilles d'or.”
BritainLondres, c. 1628
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Map of Britain showing where the Jacks arms are recorded
The Jacks arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1628.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Belgium when the Jacks 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 Jacks Family in Britain
The surname Jacks originated as a patronymic name, which means it was derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. In the Middle Ages, Jack was a common nickname for the name John. As surnames became more popular in England, families began to adopt these nicknames as permanent identifiers to distinguish themselves from others in their community. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the southeastern region of England. Records confirm that members of the Jacks family were living in the county of Kent by 1628. During this period, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and trade, and families often stayed in the same rural parishes for generations. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the local economy of the English countryside during the reign of King Charles I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Iohannes
Hebrew origin meaning Yahweh is gracious.
This name
JacksA patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name Jack, meaning son of Jack.
also spelled
Jacque
Jaques
Jaque
Jacks
Jack
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 (1737)
Roland, C. G., Histoire de Tournai, 1925
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
