Map of Belgium showing where the Jacobus arms are recorded
The Jacobus arms were recorded in Bruxelles, c. 1674.
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 II of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of Spain
1665–1700
Reigning in Belgium when the Jacobus 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 Jacobus Family in Belgium
The family name Jacobus has deep roots in the history of Brussels, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1674. During this period, Brussels was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship within the Southern Netherlands. Families with this name were often part of the urban middle class, which included skilled artisans, merchants, and local administrators who helped shape the city’s daily life. The name itself is a Latinized version of the name Jacob, which was a very popular choice in the region due to its strong religious significance. As the family established themselves in the capital, they became part of the complex social fabric of a city that was frequently caught between the shifting powers of European empires. By remaining in Brussels during the late 17th century, the Jacobus family participated in an era defined by the reconstruction and cultural growth of the city following major regional conflicts.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'or au chev. d'azur, acc. de trois coquilles de gu. C.: un griffon d'or, langué de gu.”
ArtoisArtois, c. 1652
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Map of France showing where the Jacobus arms are recorded
The Jacobus arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1652.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Jacobus 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Jacobus Family in France
The name Jacobus finds its roots in the Latin form of the Hebrew name Jacob, which gained significant popularity across Europe due to its strong religious associations. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the province of Artois, a region in northern France known for its complex history of shifting borders and agricultural wealth. In 1652, records confirm that members of the family were living in this area, which was a time of great instability as the region transitioned between Spanish and French control. Families in Artois during this period often lived in small, tight-knit communities where they relied on local parish registers to track their lineage and social standing. Because the name Jacobus was linked to the biblical tradition, it was often used by families who valued their religious heritage and sought to maintain a clear identity during the turbulent years of the seventeenth century. The presence of the family in Artois suggests they were part of a resilient population that navigated the frequent political changes of the era while preserving their family name through generations of local record-keeping.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ermineDignity and rank
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 greyhound courant sa. a canton ermines”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Jacobus arms are recorded
The Jacobus 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 Jacobus 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 Jacobus Family in England
The family name Jacobus carries a long history that traces back to the Latin form of the name James, which eventually became a surname during the period when English families began adopting hereditary last names. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Jacobus family were established in the historic city of York. At this time, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families living there were often involved in the city’s vibrant merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the name became more common in Northern England, it evolved from its classical roots into a distinct identifier for families living in the region. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and economic shifts of seventeenth-century England, helping to solidify the name as a permanent part of the local community. Through these early residents, the Jacobus name became woven into the fabric of York’s long and storied past.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ya'akov
Hebrew for to follow or to supplant.
This name
JacobusA Latinized form of James, traditionally interpreted as one who follows or holds the heel.
also spelled
Jakobs
Jacobz
Jacobson
Jacobe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Algemeen Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (1674)
City Archives of Brussels (Stadsarchief Brussel), Registers van de Poorters van Brussel
Despy, Georges, Histoire de Bruxelles (1976)
Van der Wee, Herman, The Growth of the Antwerp Market and the European Economy (1963)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ermineDignity and rank
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
