Map of Belgium showing where the Massar arms are recorded
The Massar arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Massar 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 Liege.
Origin & History of the Massar Family in Belgium
The family name Massar has deep roots in the region of Liège, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1737. During this period, Liège was a major industrial hub known for its coal mining and metalworking, which likely shaped the lives of those living in the area. The name itself is thought to be a variation of names derived from the Latin word for a farm or a small estate, suggesting that the early Massars were likely connected to the land or agricultural life in the Meuse River valley. As the region transitioned through various political shifts and industrial changes throughout the eighteenth century, the family remained part of the local social fabric. Their presence in the city archives indicates they were integrated into the community life of Liège, participating in the trades and social structures that defined this historic Belgian city long before the modern nation was fully formed.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 l'aigle de sa., bq., m. et cour. de gu.; au 2 de sa. à un dard d'arg., la pointe en bas.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Massar arms are recorded
The Massar arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Belgium when the Massar 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Massar Family in France
The family name Massar has deep roots in the historical landscape of Brittany, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique cultural identity and legal traditions. Families in this region often lived in rural parishes where they worked the land or engaged in local trade. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the western coastal areas of France. As the family established itself in the Breton countryside, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in parish life and contributing to the agricultural development of the area. This period was marked by significant social shifts, and the Massar family remained a consistent part of the local community as they navigated the changing political climate of the French kingdom.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Massa
Latin term referring to a lump, mass, or a large estate.
This name
MassarAn occupational surname for someone who worked on or managed a large agricultural estate or farm.
also spelled
Massar
Masart
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Liège, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Liège (1737)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France (1951)
Herbillon, Jules and Germain, Jean, Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Belgique romane et dans les régions limitrophes (1996)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
