A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wellens family of Belgium.
Reg. 5382 · Belgian, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 étoiles (8) d'or, 1 en chef à sen. et 2 en p.; au fr.-q. d'arg., ch. de trois chev. de sa. C.: une tête et coll. de lévrier d'arg., coll. et bouclée d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de sa., à sen. d'or et d'azur. D.: COELESTIBUS AUSPICIIS [Une branche porte ces armes sans devise, avec des lambrequins d'or et d'azur.]”
BelgiumAnvers, c. 1734
Where the Wellens Arms Were Recorded
Anvers
Map of Belgium showing where the Wellens arms are recorded
The Wellens arms were recorded in Anvers, c. 1734.
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 Wellens 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 Wellens Family in Belgium
The surname Wellens is a patronymic name that originates from the Low Countries, specifically the Dutch-speaking regions of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. The name is derived from the given name Wellen, which served as a shortened or affectionate form of names like Willebrord or Willem. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Antwerp, known locally as Anvers. Records from 1734 confirm that members of the Wellens family were active residents within this bustling port city, which was a major center for trade and commerce at the time. Families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of the region, working as merchants, craftsmen, or local officials who helped shape the economic life of Flanders. Over the generations, the name spread from these urban hubs into the surrounding countryside, maintaining its roots as a common but respected identifier for families living in the Scheldt river valley.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Welle
A low-lying meadow or land near a body of water.
This name
WellensA topographic name for someone who lived near a stream or a marshy meadow.
also spelled
Wellens von Meulenberg
Wellens-Meulenberg
Wellens zu Meulenberg
Wellens
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 het arrondissement Antwerpen. 1969
Stadsarchief Antwerpen (City Archives of Antwerp), Doopregisters (Baptismal Registers), 1734
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