A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Roof family of Belgium.
Reg. 4726 · Belgian, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois fasces d'arg., ch. chacune de trois pals de gu.; et deux coquilles d'or, l'une sur l'autre entre les fasces. C.: un lion iss. de gu., cour. d'or; entre un vol-banneret, d'arg. et de gu.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Roof arms are recorded
The Roof 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 Roof 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 Roof Family in Belgium
The family name Roof likely originated as a descriptive surname in the Low Countries, where it was often linked to individuals who lived near a prominent roof or worked as roofers. By 1737, records confirm that members of the family were established in the Duchy of Brabant, a region that spanned parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. During this period, Brabant was a bustling center of trade and agriculture under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs. Families living in this area were often tied to the land or local craft guilds, which helped them maintain stability during a time of shifting political borders. As the family moved and grew, the name evolved in spelling to fit the local dialects of the region, eventually becoming the version used today. This history reflects the broader movement of people across Western Europe who were defined by their trade and their connection to their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rolf
Derived from the Germanic elements for wolf and renown or counsel.
This name
RoofA topographic name for someone who lived near a roof or a shelter.
also spelled
Roufe
Roof
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
Leys, O. De familienamen in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden. 1970
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
