A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borth family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0172 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 croix ancrée de gu., cant. de quatre hérons au nat.; au canton de sa.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Borth Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Borth arms are recorded
The Borth 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 Borth 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 Borth 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 Borth Family in Netherlands
The family name Borth finds its historical roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community. The name likely evolved from a geographical descriptor, as the term often related to low-lying or marshy land found along the coastal areas of the North Sea. During the year 1815, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was officially formed, these families were active participants in the agricultural and maritime life that defined the Frisian landscape. Over generations, the Borth name became deeply intertwined with the social and economic development of the region, reflecting a history rooted in the resilience of the Dutch northern provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bort
A Germanic term referring to a board, plank, or wooden structure.
This name
BorthA topographic name for someone who lived near a wooden bridge or planked structure.
also spelled
Borthe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (1815)
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland
Hofstee, P., Friese familienamen en hun oorsprong (1998)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
