The most extensive work on European (and other countries) coats of arms was produced by J.B. Rietstap. They are contained in 1903-1926 issues of the "Planches de l'Armorial General". The pictured crests in the publication consist of shields only and are in black and white with a shaded color coding as follows :
Small dots = gold, white = silver, horizontal lines = blue, vertical lines = red horizontal lines with vertical lines or black = black, angle top left to bottom right lines= green, angle top right to bottom left lines = purple, vertical broken lines = flesh color, vertical lines with angle top right to bottom left lines = blood color. In later crests, natural colors were used for some the pictures, i.e. a sea or sky would be blue, trees/plants would be green etc.
A coat of arms was used individually and did NOT 'belong' to a surname. Descendants generally kept using the crest of their ancestors as a means of identifying the family. Sometimes crests were changed by the later bearers to reflect changes the family may have undergone through the ages.
Whether the crest belongs to - or was used by - a member of your (branch of the) family is a matter for your personal consideration. Research may be required to determine if the crest was ever used by a member of your family.
When looking for a name on the various name listings on the Internet please be aware of the following :
- The Dutch prefixes to the 'base name' such as VAN, VAN DE, TE, TER etc. may not be mentioned.
- Combined surnames such as ROY VAN ZUYDEWYN are in many cases only listed as ROY.
- In most names where the letter Y is used, the letter(s) IJ can be substituted, i.e. WYCK, could be WIJCK - Names on the list can be spelled the 'old fashioned' way. Your 'modern' name may have been spelled differently way back.
- Non English characters such as : ä, ö, ü, é etc., may not have the symbols atop the letter and are therefore listed as : a,o,u,e etc.
Searching the Internet can produce a coat of arms of a family with the same surname as yours. Whether the crest belongs to - or was used by - a member of YOUR (branch of the) family is a matter for your personal consideration. Research may be required to determine if the crest was ever used by an early member of your family. This is not an easy task as the coat of arms may have originated many centuries ago and the availability of records of your family may not stretch that far. Check out www.cbg.nl which has useful information on this subject and can be engaged to perform a heraldic search.
A name list of families whose crest descriptions are available can be accessed via the link below.
FORMER DUTCH EAST INDIES SURNAME LIST
Family Coat of Arms Design Service
It is possible that no coat of arms was ever accredited to any of your ancestors. If that is the case, you can have your own coat of arms designed, reflecting historical - and specific attributes of your present day or ancestral family members. You may also wish to 'refurbish' an existing coat of arms to improve colour, improve print out quality, clarity etc.
Refurbished
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BEFORE Original 17th century |
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AFTER 19th century style |
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AFTER 21st century style |
Designed
In order to have a unique crest designed, you would need to supply a list of attributes you wish to see incorporated/symbolised in your coat of arms. These can be professions, trades, character, family traits, qualities etc. A crest can then be designed and a sketch submitted for your approval/changes etc. The cost to provide such a sketch will amount to US$40. This amount is NOT refundable if you decide NOT to go ahead. This amount will be deducted from the costs of the final product if you DO decide to go ahead.
Based upon the agreed design a quotation will be given for a final version. If approved by you, a high resolution JPEG file will sent to you by email. The amount can be anywhere between US$80 and US$200, depending on the choice of the attributes (mantle, helmet etc.) and the intricacy of the family objects chosen.
The crest will be drawn according to heraldic design rules with regard to usage of colour and placement of the object(s).
Designs with regard to the type of mantle, helmet and shield are available as follows (more to follow):
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MBLACKSILVER1 |
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MBLACKSILVER2 |
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MREDGOLD1 |
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MREDGOLD2 |
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MGREENGOLD1 |
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MGREENSILVER1 |
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MBLUESILVER1 |
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MBLUEGOLD1 |
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MREDSILVER1 |
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MREDSILVER2 |
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MBLUESILVER3 |
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MBLUESILVER2 |
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MMBLUEGOLD1 |
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MMREDGOLD1 |
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MBLACKGOLD1 |
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MBLACKGOLD2 |
The above drawings can also be purchased separately for anyone wishing to (re-)construct/beautify their own family Coat of Arms. (own/private use only, price on application). The pictures on this are 'thumbnails' and can not be printed at a larger size without toothing. The pictures you purchase are of a higher resolution and can be printed at A5 size without toothing. Particular objects on your coat of arms are also available (upon request) in the style and colouring to suit the above mantles.
Knowing the meaning of the various symbols used can also be very helpful when deciding which to use for your coat of arms. There are numerous websites with this information such as at:
www.digiserve.com/heraldry/symbols.htm
www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm
