The Heraldic Record
Recorded Arms of the House
Three documented grants of arms attend the principal generations of the House of Le Clerc. Each is preserved in the heraldic registers of Lorraine and reproduced here from the original blazon.
Ennobled · 1464
Jehan Leclerc de Pulligny Blazon
Gules, two fesses or intertwined with seven bezants argent, placed 3, 3 and 1.
Occasion
Granted on the ennoblement of Jehan Leclerc, 3 January 1464 — the first ennoblement of the House.
Historical Context
Jehan was raised to the nobility by letters patent of the Duke of Lorraine, becoming the first Sieur de Pulligny. The seven bezants represent the seven principal fiefs held under his hand; the two intertwined fesses were read in the period as a sign of fidelity between vassal and prince.
Ennobled · 1512
Claude & Thierry Le Clerc Blazon
Or, a leopard gules armed, langued and crowned azure, on a chief of the same charged with three bezants or.
Occasion
Granted to Claude and Thierry, brothers and sons of Mengin II Le Clerc and Mengette his wife, ennobled in 1512.
Historical Context
The renewal of nobility under Duke Antoine of Lorraine confirmed the family's standing into a second generation. The crowned leopard and the azure chief recall the brothers' joint service at the ducal court of Nancy.
Ennobled · 1623
Jean & Alexandre Leclerc Blazon
Azure, two silver swords hilted in gold placed in saltire, on a chief gules a lion — known as the Lion of Saint Mark — or, holding an open book proper.
Occasion
Granted upon the ennoblement of Jean Leclerc, of the Order of Saint Mark, and his brother Alexandre, in 1623.
Historical Context
Restored to hereditary nobility on 28 May 1623, the brothers' arms carry the Lion of Saint Mark in memory of Alexandre's service to Charlotte Catherine de La Trémoille, Princess of Taranto, and his admission to the Venetian Order of Saint Mark.