Map of France showing where the Legros arms are recorded
The Legros arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1531.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Legros 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 Legros Family in France
The surname Legros originated in France as a descriptive nickname, derived from the Old French word "gros," which meant large, thick, or stout. In medieval society, such names were often given to individuals based on their physical appearance or a prominent personality trait, and these nicknames eventually became permanent family names passed down through generations. By the year 1531, records confirm that members of the Legros family were established in the Lorraine region, a territory known for its complex history at the crossroads of French and Germanic cultures. During this period, families in Lorraine often lived in tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or artisans. As the name spread across the French provinces, it remained a common identifier for families who were recognized by their neighbors for their physical presence or their standing within the local village hierarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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)
“D'arg au lion d'azur, arm. et lamp. d'or, tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or. C.: un lion, iss.”
Belgiumc. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Legros arms are recorded
The Legros arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 France when the Legros 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 Legros Family in Belgium
The surname Legros originated as a descriptive nickname in the French-speaking regions of Europe, likely used to identify a person of large stature or significant physical presence. By the early eighteenth century, the family established a firm foothold in the Duchy of Brabant, a historically influential region that now spans parts of modern-day Belgium. Records from 1737 confirm that members of the family were active residents within this territory during a period when the area was under the administration of the Austrian Netherlands. As the name spread through the local population, it became deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Brabant countryside. The family members of this era were typically involved in local trades and agricultural life, contributing to the steady growth of the region’s community during the Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, ar. and az. on a bend sa. three martlets (another, mullets) or”
NorfolkScoley · Norfolk, c. 1440
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Map of England showing where the Legros arms are recorded
The Legros arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1440.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Legros 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Legros Family in England
The surname Legros originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval France, where it was used to identify a person of large or stout physical stature. Following the Norman Conquest, the name gradually crossed the English Channel and became established within the local population. By the year 1440, historical records confirm that members of the Legros family were well-settled in the county of Norfolk. During this period, families often lived in rural communities where they worked as landowners or tradespeople. The presence of the name in Norfolk suggests that these early ancestors were integrated into the social and economic life of East Anglia long before the modern era. Over several generations, the name transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname that was passed down through the family line.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
crassus
Latin term meaning thick, fat, or dense.
This name
LegrosA descriptive nickname for a person of large or stout physical stature.
also spelled
Legrot
Legro
Gros
Related arms
Gros (le) de Princévariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
