Map of Belgium showing where the Vale arms are recorded
The Vale arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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.
Philip IV of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of Spain
1621–1665
Reigning in Belgium when the Vale 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Vale Family in Belgium
The history of the Vale family in Belgium is deeply connected to the landscape of the Flanders region. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was then known for its thriving textile trade and complex network of waterways. The name itself likely originated as a topographical descriptor, referring to people who lived in or near a valley or a low-lying stretch of land. During the seventeenth century, families in Flanders often identified themselves by the specific features of the terrain they occupied. As the Vale family settled into the local community, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the region. Their presence in Flanders during this period suggests they were likely involved in the agricultural or merchant activities that defined the local economy at the time. Over the following generations, the family name became a permanent fixture in the historical records of the area, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the Belgian population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per fess ar. and az. in chief a lion pass. guard. of the second”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Vale arms are recorded
The Vale arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Vale 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 England.
Origin & History of the Vale Family in England
The surname Vale is a topographical name, meaning it was originally given to people who lived in or near a valley. In England, the name began to appear in official records during the Middle Ages as families settled in low-lying areas. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Vale family were active participants in the local community of this historic northern city. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religion, and families with this name were likely involved in the local crafts or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. Over time, the name spread from these regional hubs across the country, evolving alongside the changing landscape of English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
vallis
Latin term referring to a valley or low-lying land.
This name
ValeA topographic name for someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Valle
Val
Vayle
Vail
Veale
Related arms
Valvariant spelling
Vallevariant spelling
Vealevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van de Vlaamse familienamen, 1974
Flemish State Archives (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van de provincie West-Vlaanderen, 1663
Leys, O., De familienamen in de Nederlanden, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
