A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kemmer family of France.
Reg. 2477 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
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'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois flanchis du même.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Kemmer Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Kemmer arms are recorded
The Kemmer arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 France when the Kemmer 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Kemmer Family in France
The surname Kemmer traces its roots to the historical region of Flanders, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1663. The name is generally categorized as an occupational or descriptive surname, likely derived from the Middle Dutch word "kemmer," which refers to a wool comber. During the seventeenth century, the textile industry served as the economic backbone of the Flemish region, and individuals often adopted names based on their specific trade. As the family established themselves in this vibrant center of commerce and weaving, the name became a permanent marker of their professional identity. Over time, the name spread through various local communities, reflecting the movement of skilled laborers across the Low Countries as they sought new opportunities in the thriving trade guilds of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Camarius
Latin term for a chamberlain or an official in charge of rooms.
This name
KemmerAn occupational surname for a chamberlain or a servant responsible for a household's private quarters.
also spelled
de Kemmere
de Kemmerre
de Kemer
Kemmer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters (Doop-, huwelijks- en overlijdensakten), 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
