A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kling family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4245 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à trois pensées d'azur, tigées et feuillées de sin.; au 2 d'azur à trois canettes d'arg.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Kling Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Kling arms are recorded
The Kling 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 Kling 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 Kling Family in France
The history of the Kling name in France is deeply tied to the shifting borders and cultural exchanges of the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Flandre, a territory that experienced significant political transition as it moved between Spanish and French control during this era. The name itself likely originated from Germanic roots, reflecting the linguistic diversity common in northern border regions where families often navigated both French and Flemish influences. As these early ancestors settled into the local community, they participated in the daily life of a region defined by its bustling trade routes and agricultural development. Their presence in the historical record during this time suggests a family that was well-integrated into the social fabric of the northern provinces, living through a period of intense transformation that would eventually shape the modern identity of the area.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à une colombe d'arg., perchée sur une boule d'azur; le champ chapé-ployé de sa., à deux lions affr. d'or, cour. du même, tenant chacun une épée d'arg., garnie d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une colombe d'arg., dans l'attitude de l'aigle héraldique, soutenue d'une boule d'azur; entre un vol de sa., l'aile dextre ch. d'une pointe d'arg. et l'aile sen. d'une pointe d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Kling Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Kling arms are recorded
The Kling arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Kling Family in Switzerland
The family name Kling has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it first appeared as a descriptive surname. In the Middle Ages, names like Kling were often derived from the Middle High German word "klingen," which refers to a ringing sound or a sharp noise. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name might have been metalworkers, such as blacksmiths or bell makers, whose daily labor was defined by the rhythmic clanging of hammers against anvils. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of Bâle. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Kling family were active participants in the urban life of this bustling trade hub. During this era, families in Bâle were often integrated into the local guilds, which controlled the city’s economy and social structure. As the family settled into this environment, they helped shape the local culture through their contributions to the city’s long tradition of craftsmanship and commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Klingel
A Middle High German term referring to a small bell.
This name
KlingAn occupational name for a bell ringer or a nickname for a noisy person.
also spelled
Klingh
Cling
Klinga
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Nord, Série B (Chambre des comptes de Lille)
Lottin, Alain, Histoire des provinces françaises du Nord, 1989
Van der Essen, Léon, La Belgique sous la domination espagnole, 1925
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
duckResourcefulness on land and water
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
duckResourcefulness on land and water
lionCourage, strength and royalty
