Map of Belgium showing where the Lancelot arms are recorded
The Lancelot arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Lancelot 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 Brabant.
Origin & History of the Lancelot Family in Belgium
The history of the Lancelot family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the region of Brabant, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. The name itself is derived from a diminutive form of the Old French name Lance, which was often associated with the legendary knight of Arthurian romance. During the eighteenth century, families bearing this name were typically integrated into the local social fabric of the Low Countries, often working as skilled tradespeople or landowners within the rural communities of the Duchy of Brabant. As the family established their roots in this area, they became part of the administrative and parish life of the region, leaving behind traces in baptismal and marriage registers that document their steady growth over generations. By settling in this historically significant province, the early Lancelots contributed to the local culture and economy during a period of transition under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three bends gu”
LeicesterLeicester, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Lancelot arms are recorded
The Lancelot arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Lancelot 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Lancelot Family in England
The surname Lancelot has roots that stretch back to the medieval period, though it gained a distinct presence in the English Midlands by the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in Leicester, a town that served as a vital hub for trade and local governance at the time. The name itself likely originated as a diminutive form of the Old French name Lance, which was often associated with the legendary figures of Arthurian romance that permeated European literature during the Middle Ages. As families moved through the English landscape, the name transitioned from a literary reference into a hereditary surname used to identify specific households. These early residents of Leicester were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the social and economic fabric of the region during the reign of King James I. Their presence in the city archives suggests that the family was integrated into the local community, participating in the daily life and administrative duties that defined English town life four centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lancea
Latin term for a light spear or javelin.
This name
LancelotA diminutive form meaning little spearman or servant of the lance.
also spelled
Lanselot
Lancelod
Lanselo
Lanslot
Related arms
Lanselattvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Archives: State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te België), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Brabant
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 1993
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
