Map of Belgium showing where the Poarch arms are recorded
The Poarch 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 Poarch 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 Poarch Family in Belgium
The family name Poarch traces its roots in Belgium to the historic region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1737. During this period, Brabant served as a vital crossroads for trade and agriculture within the Austrian Netherlands. Families living in this area often identified themselves through their specific local occupations or the unique landscape of their home villages. The name likely evolved as a phonetic adaptation of local dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in a region where French and Dutch influences frequently met. By settling in Brabant, the early Poarch family became part of a complex social structure defined by parish life and local land management. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant administrative transition, as the region moved between various European powers while maintaining its distinct cultural identity. Their presence in the historical record of 1737 highlights a long-standing connection to the rural and developing urban centers of the Low Countries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
axeThe execution of military duty
wolfReward from long service and hard work
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chev. engr. gu. surmounted by another chev. plain or, charged with a battle axe erect betw. two bows stringed, each surmounting two arrows in saltire, points downwards sa. three wolves' heads erased of the field, quartering REEVES”
SomersetEdgarley · Somerset, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Poarch arms are recorded
The Poarch arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Poarch 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Poarch Family in England
The family name Poarch traces its roots to the rural landscapes of Somerset, England, where records confirm the presence of the family by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a topographical surname, which was a common way to identify people based on the natural features or structures near their homes. It is widely believed that the name derived from the Middle English word porche, referring to someone who lived near the entrance or the porch of a church or a grand manor house. During the early seventeenth century, families in Somerset were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades. As the name became established in the region, it evolved from a simple descriptive label into a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader social changes in England at the time, as surnames became essential for tracking property, taxation, and parish records within growing communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Porcher
An occupational term for a swineherd or keeper of pigs.
This name
PoarchA surname derived from the Old French word for a pig farmer or swineherd.
also spelled
Porcher
Porchers
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Algemeen Rijksarchief (General State Archives of Belgium), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Archives: Rijksarchief te Leuven, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand en Parochieregisters
Book: De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van Brabant van de vroegste tijden tot heden, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
axeThe execution of military duty
wolfReward from long service and hard work
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
