A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Messer family of Belgium.
Reg. 7862 · Belgian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un château de gu. composé de trois tours réunies, celle du milieu supérieure; le tout soutenu d'une terrasse d'azur.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Messer Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Messer arms are recorded
The Messer 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 Messer 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 Messer Family in Belgium
The surname Messer is primarily occupational in origin, derived from the Middle High German word "messer," which translates to a knife or a cutter. Historically, this name was often bestowed upon individuals who worked as knife makers, cutlers, or butchers, reflecting the essential trades of the medieval period. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Brabant, which spanned parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. Records from 1737 confirm that members of the Messer family were active within this territory, likely contributing to the local economy through their craftsmanship or agricultural labor. As the family moved and settled across different European borders, the name evolved alongside local dialects, yet it maintained its strong connection to the historical trade of metalworking and blade production.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Messier
Derived from the Old French word for a harvester or reaper.
This name
MesserAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a harvest overseer or field guard.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon. 1967
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant. 1737
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
