A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lion family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu.”
The Lion arms were recorded in Bruxelles, c. 1737.
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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Lion arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Lion has deep roots in the urban landscape of Brussels, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brussels was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. Families with this name were often integrated into the local economy, likely working as skilled laborers or merchants within the city walls. Because the name Lion is associated with strength and courage, it was often used as a descriptive nickname before becoming a permanent surname passed down through generations. By the mid-1700s, the family was already part of the complex social fabric of the city, living through a time of significant political change and urban growth. Their presence in the city archives from this period shows that they were recognized citizens who participated in the daily life and administrative systems of Brussels long before the modern nation of Belgium was formed.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cinquefoilHope and joySir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. on a fesse engr. or, betw. three bezants, each charged with a griffin's head erased sa. a lion pass. guard. betw. two cinquefoils gu”
The Lion arms were recorded in London, c. 1554.
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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Lion arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Lion emerged in England as a descriptive surname, likely originating from a nickname for a person who displayed the strength or courage associated with the animal. By the mid-sixteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Lion family were established residents of London. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and social change, and families with this name were part of the growing urban population. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant religious and political shifts in England, which shaped the environment in which they worked and raised their families. As the name became more common in city records, it solidified its place within the local community, marking the start of a long presence for the family in the English capital.
Latin term for the predatory feline animal.
