A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Both family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9440 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 trois plies d'arg., posées en pals, 2 et 1, acc. en chef d'une étoile du même.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Both Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Both arms are recorded
The Both 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 Both 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 Both 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 Both Family in Netherlands
The surname Both has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly 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. In the Dutch language, the word "both" or "bot" historically referred to a type of flatfish, such as a flounder, which suggests that the name may have originally functioned as a nickname for someone who worked in the fishing industry or lived near the coast. As the Netherlands moved toward standardized naming conventions in the early 1800s, families like the Boths became more visible in official government registers. These early records show that the family was integrated into the social and economic life of the Frisian countryside, where they participated in the typical trades and agricultural activities of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. à un canot de gu. C.: le canot.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Both Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Both arms are recorded
The Both 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 Netherlands when the Both 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 Both Family in Denmark
The history of the Both family in Denmark is deeply rooted in the landscape of Zealand, also known as Sjælland. By the early 18th century, members of this family were well-established residents of the region, as evidenced by records dating back to 1722. During this period, the name was associated with families who often worked within the local agricultural or administrative systems that defined Danish rural life. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the island, moving through the parishes and towns that made up the heart of the Danish kingdom. Their presence in 1722 suggests that the family had already spent generations settling into the local community, contributing to the development of the region long before the modern era of record-keeping became standardized. This early history reflects the quiet but steady influence of families who helped shape the local culture and economy of Sjælland during the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
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)
“D'azur à un canot d'arg., voguant sur une mer du même. C.: le canot, supp. une colonne d'or, cour. du même et sommée d'une queue de paon au nat.”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1765
Where the Both Arms Were Recorded
Mecklenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Both arms are recorded
The Both arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1765.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Both arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Both Family in Germany
The family name Both finds its roots in the northern regions of Germany, where it emerged as a distinct identifier during the era of early surname development. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Mecklenburg region. Historical records confirm that members of the Both family were living in this area by 1765. During this period, the name was often associated with rural communities and local agricultural life. Families in Mecklenburg frequently lived in small villages where their names became tied to specific landholdings or local trades. As the eighteenth century progressed, the Both family became part of the social fabric of northern Germany, contributing to the growth and stability of their local parishes. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the Baltic coastal plains and helped shape the regional identity of the Mecklenburg territory.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bode
A messenger or herald in Middle Dutch.
This name
BothRefers to a person who served as a messenger or official representative.
also spelled
Bot
Related arms
Boothvariant spelling
Botvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811–1950)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
