A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bollen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4088 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
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. au chev. de sa., acc. de douze boules de gu., disposées par groupes de quatre boules, 2 et 2, lesdits groupes posées 2 et 1.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Bollen Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Bollen arms are recorded
The Bollen arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Bollen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Bollen Family in Belgium
The family name Bollen has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where members of the family were documented as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, this area was part of the Southern Netherlands under Austrian rule, a period characterized by a stable agricultural economy and the growth of local parish communities. The name itself likely originated as a topographic or descriptive surname, often linked to the Middle Dutch word "bolle," which could refer to a round object, a specific type of plant bulb, or even a person with a round head. Families like the Bollens were typically integrated into the rural social structure of the Brabant countryside, where they likely worked as farmers, tradespeople, or skilled craftsmen. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the region, participating in the religious and civil life of their villages while contributing to the steady development of the Flemish landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three bulls' heads couped sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bollen Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bollen arms are recorded
The Bollen arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Bollen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Bollen Family in England
The history of the Bollen family in England is deeply rooted in the northern city of York, where records confirm their presence as early as 1620. The name itself is likely topographic or occupational in origin, often linked to the Middle English word "bolle," which referred to a rounded object or a bowl. In a medieval context, this could describe someone who lived near a rounded hill or perhaps a craftsman who made wooden vessels. By the time the family was established in York during the seventeenth century, the city was a bustling center of trade and religious life. Living in such a prominent urban hub suggests that the early Bollen family members were likely integrated into the local economy as merchants, skilled tradespeople, or members of the growing professional class. Their presence in York during this era places them in a period of significant social change, as the city served as a vital gateway for commerce in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bol
A rounded object or a swelling
This name
BollenA topographic name for someone living near a rounded hill or a nickname for a stout person.
also spelled
Bollin
Bollenn
Bollenh
Bolen
Bolin
Related arms
Bolleinevariant spelling
Bollandvariant spelling
Bolleyn, or Bollensvariant spelling
Bollingvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Vlaams-Brabant
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Leys, O., De familienamen in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bullValour and generosity
