A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alf family of Denmark.
Reg. 4868 · Danish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 la flèche d'or, ailée de sa., posée en barre, les ailes abaissées.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Alf Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Alf arms are recorded
The Alf arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Denmark when the Alf arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Alf Family in Denmark
The family name Alf has deep roots in the Danish landscape, with documented evidence placing the family in the region of Sjælland as early as 1722. The name itself is derived from the Old Norse word *alfr*, which translates to elf or supernatural being. In early Scandinavian history, such names were often linked to ancient folklore or used to describe individuals with a striking or ethereal appearance. By the early 18th century, families in Sjælland were typically identified by their connection to specific rural parishes or local farming communities. As the family established themselves in this region, they became part of the traditional agrarian society that defined Denmark during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. Over time, the name transitioned from a descriptive term into a stable hereditary surname that helped track the family’s lineage across generations of Danish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alfr
Old Norse term referring to a supernatural being or elf.
This name
AlfDerived from ancient Scandinavian mythology, representing a connection to mythical elf spirits.
also spelled
Alff
Alfe
Alfh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Danish National Archives (Rigsarkivet), Sjællands Stifts øvrighedsarkiver
Jørgensen, Bent, Dansk stednavneleksikon, 2008
Kousgård Sørensen, John, Danske personnavne, 1997
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
