A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Preiss family of Belgium.
trefoilPerpetuity, and the TrinityJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à trois trèfles d'or.”
The Preiss arms were recorded in Tournai, 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 Preiss 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 Preiss originates from the German word meaning price or prize, and it was often used as a descriptive surname for someone who acted as an arbiter or a person who set the value of goods in a marketplace. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established themselves in the historic city of Tournai, which is located in modern-day Belgium. During the year 1737, records indicate that the family was active within this region, which was a vital center for trade and craftsmanship at the time. Families with this name often moved across European borders due to the shifting political boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire and the surrounding territories. As they settled in cities like Tournai, they integrated into the local economy, likely working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped facilitate the movement of goods between the German states and the Low Countries.
A historical term referring to a person from Prussia.
