A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alvarez family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0548 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Echiq. d'azur et d'arg., de cinq tires, chacune de trois points. Cq. cour. C.: un ange iss., cour. d'or, les ailes échiq d'arg. et d'azur, tenant une croix latine d'or.”
ZeelandZeeland, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Alvarez arms are recorded
The Alvarez arms were recorded in Zeeland, c. 1815.
Zeeland was a scatter of islands in the south-west of the Netherlands, living on the sea and on land reclaimed from it. Families who drained and held that land were counted among the gentry, and gentry carried 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
Zeeland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Alvarez 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 Alvarez 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 Zeeland.
Origin & History of the Alvarez Family in Netherlands
PronunciationAL-va-reth/ˈalβaɾeθ/
The surname Alvarez is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Alvaro. The name Alvaro itself has ancient roots in the Iberian Peninsula and is believed to derive from Germanic elements meaning all-guarding or elf-warrior. While the name is most famously associated with Spanish and Portuguese heritage, the movement of families across Europe led to diverse branches settling in various regions over the centuries. By the early 19th century, members of the family were established in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands. This presence in 1815 suggests that the family had integrated into the local Dutch population during a period of significant political and social change in Europe. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local community through trade, agriculture, or civic service as they established their roots in this coastal region.
Alvarez Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Alvaro
Derived from Germanic elements meaning all-guarding or elf warrior.
This name
AlvarezA patronymic surname meaning son of the all-guarding warrior.
also spelled
Alvares
Related arms
Godoysimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Zeeland Archives, Burgerlijke Stand Zeeland (Civil Registration of Zeeland), 1815
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
