A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vanston family of Belgium.
Reg. 8576 · Belgian, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 de sa. à deux fermaux ovales d'or, couchés et accostés; au 2 d'azur plein; au 3 d'arg. au fer de moulin de sa. C.: un vol d'arg. L.: d'arg. et de sa.”
BelgiumAnvers, c. 1755
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Map of Belgium showing where the Vanston arms are recorded
The Vanston arms were recorded in Anvers, c. 1755.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Belgium when the Vanston 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 Vanston Family in Belgium
The family name Vanston likely originates from a combination of geographic and linguistic roots tied to the Low Countries. By 1755, records confirm that members of the family were established in Anvers, which is known today as Antwerp. During the eighteenth century, this city served as a major hub for international trade and cultural exchange. Families living in this region often adopted surnames that reflected their local surroundings or their specific place of residence. The name Vanston suggests a connection to a stone-based location or a specific settlement, as the prefix often denotes origin from a particular area. As these early family members navigated the bustling urban environment of Anvers, they were part of a society shaped by shifting borders and the growth of European commerce. Their presence in such a prominent port city indicates that the family was likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vander Steen
Derived from the Dutch words for from the stone or rock.
This name
VanstonA topographical surname indicating a family that lived near a prominent stone building or rocky landmark.
also spelled
Astene
Asten
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Antwerpen, Register van de Burgerlijke Stand, 1755
Vereniging voor Familiekunde, Vlaamse Stam: Tijdschrift voor familiegeschiedenis, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
