A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Malleus family of Belgium.
Reg. 6936 · Belgian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au saut. d'arg. C.: un sauvage iss. de carn., ceint et cour. de lierre, tenant de sa main dextre une massue posée sur son épaule et de sa sen. un bouclier ovale de gu., bordé d'or, à nombril du même.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Malleus Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Malleus arms are recorded
The Malleus 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 Belgium when the Malleus 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 Malleus Family in Belgium
The surname Malleus carries a strong historical connection to the region of Brabant, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1737. The name itself is derived from the Latin word for hammer, which suggests that the earliest ancestors likely worked as blacksmiths, metalworkers, or stone masons. In the eighteenth century, Brabant was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, making it a logical home for a family associated with such essential manual trades. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and industrial life of the region. By settling in this area, the Malleus family helped build the local economy through their specialized skills and dedication to their craft.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
malleus
A Latin noun referring to a hammer or mallet.
This name
MalleusAn occupational surname for a blacksmith, metalworker, or someone who used a hammer.
also spelled
Malleus
Maleuss
Maleuse
Malus
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Vandenbroeke, C., Sociale geschiedenis van het Vlaamse volk, 1981
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
