A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bolten family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3469 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à deux flèches émoussées d'arg., passées en saut., les têtes en bas.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Bolten Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bolten arms are recorded
The Bolten 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 Bolten 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 Bolten 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 Bolten Family in Netherlands
The surname Bolten finds its historical roots in the northern regions of Europe, with a notable presence in the province of Friesland by the early nineteenth century. The name is generally considered a patronymic, meaning it was originally formed by adding a suffix to a given name to indicate descent from a father or ancestor named Bolt. In the linguistic landscape of the Low Countries and Northern Germany, the name Bolt likely served as a short form of longer Germanic names that incorporated the root word for a bold or daring person. By 1815, families carrying the Bolten name were well-established members of the Frisian community, living in a region defined by its unique language, maritime trade, and independent spirit. These early ancestors were likely farmers, tradespeople, or skilled laborers who contributed to the local economy during a time of significant political transition in the Netherlands. As the family grew, they helped shape the cultural identity of their local parishes through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bode
A messenger or herald in Germanic languages.
This name
BoltenA patronymic surname indicating the son of a messenger or herald.
also spelled
Boltenn
Boltene
Boltenh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen en familienamen in Nederland, 1964
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
