A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ahlstrom family of Sweden.
Reg. 4888 · Swedish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De gu. à la bande ondée d'arg., ch. de deux coquilles de sa. posées en pals, et acc. de deux abeilles d'or. L'écu bordé d'arg. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un bâton recourbé en haut à sen., d'or, entre deux pl. d'aut., coupées alt. d'or et d'azur, br. sur deux pl. d'aut. de sa.; 2° un bouclier ovale d'arg., ch. de la lettre S d'azur, entre deux branches de rosier d'arg., portant des boutons de rose de gu. T.: à dextre un Mercure de carn., la ceinture, le chapeau ailé et le caducée d'arg.; à sen. un Faune de carn., ceint et cour. de lierre, soufflant dans une flûte de Pan au nat., et embrassant de son bras sen. un bâton recourbé.”
Swedenc. 1778
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Map of Sweden showing where the Ahlstrom arms are recorded
The Ahlstrom arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1778.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
Gustav III of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Gustav III of Sweden
1771–1792
Reigning in Sweden when the Ahlstrom arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Ahlstrom Family in Sweden
The name Ahlstrom is a classic example of a Swedish ornamental surname, which became popular among the growing middle class during the eighteenth century. These names were often created by combining two nature-related words, such as "ahl" for alder tree and "strom" for river or stream. By the time family members were documented in Stockholm in 1778, the name likely signaled a transition away from traditional patronymic naming systems, where children simply took their father's first name as a last name. Families moving into urban centers like Stockholm often adopted these descriptive names to distinguish themselves in professional and social circles. This shift reflects a period of modernization in Sweden, as individuals sought to establish a lasting family identity that was tied to a specific location or a chosen symbolic image rather than just a father's name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
al and ström
al means alder tree and ström means river or stream.
This name
AhlstromA topographic name referring to someone who lived near a river lined with alder trees.
also spelled
Alstrom
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hasselberg, Gösta. Svenska släktnamn: en översikt. 1974
National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), Stockholms stadsarkiv, Mantalslängder 1778
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
