A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Absalon family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3029 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois fleurs-de-lis de sa., 2 et 1, acc. de quatre tourt. de gu., 1 en chef, 2 en flancs et 1 en p.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Absalon Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Absalon arms are recorded
The Absalon arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Absalon Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Absalon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Absalon Family in Netherlands
The name Absalon originates from the ancient Hebrew name Avshalom, which translates to father of peace. Over many centuries, this name spread across Europe through religious texts and became a popular given name in various cultures. By the early nineteenth century, the name transitioned into a hereditary surname for families living in the coastal region of Friesland. In 1815, the Netherlands implemented a formal civil registry system that required all citizens to adopt permanent family names. During this period, families in Friesland who had previously used patronymic naming systems officially registered as Absalon. This transition reflects the broader European shift toward standardized record-keeping that helped define modern family identities. The presence of the Absalon name in these early Dutch records highlights the family’s deep roots within the Frisian community during a time of significant administrative change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Avshalom
Hebrew for father of peace or my father is peace.
This name
AbsalonA patronymic surname derived from the biblical name meaning father of peace.
also spelled
Absallon
Absalon
Absolon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P. J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1815
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
