A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Box family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9861 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ramLeadership and authority
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 un bélier arrêté d'arg., acorné d'or.”
NetherlandsDelft, c. 1815
Where the Box Arms Were Recorded
Delft
Map of Netherlands showing where the Box arms are recorded
The Box arms were recorded in Delft, c. 1815.
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
Delft
Town
Delft
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Box 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 Box 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 Box Family in Netherlands
The surname Box has deep roots in the Netherlands, where it functioned as a descriptive name often linked to a person’s physical traits or their trade. By the early nineteenth century, the family was firmly established in the city of Delft, a location famous for its long history of craftsmanship and canal-side commerce. Records from 1815 show members of the Box family living and working within this urban environment, which was a hub for trade and administration during the transition into the modern Dutch state. Because Delft was a center for pottery and mercantile activity, it is likely that early family members were involved in the local guilds or the specialized industries that defined the city’s economy. The name itself reflects a tradition of simple, direct identification that was common among Dutch families before the formalization of civil registration. Over time, the family became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the steady growth of the Dutch middle class during a period of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a lion pass. guard. ar. betw. three griffins' heads, erased or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Box Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Box arms are recorded
The Box 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 Netherlands when the Box 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 Box Family in England
The surname Box originated in England as a topographic name, which means it was used to describe someone who lived near a prominent feature in the landscape. In this case, the name likely referred to a person who lived near a grove of boxwood trees or a box-shaped enclosure. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Box family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this era, families often settled in specific regions for generations, and the presence of the Box name in York suggests they were well-integrated into the local community. While the name is simple in its construction, it reflects the common practice of identifying individuals by their surroundings during a time when surnames were becoming permanent fixtures of English identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buxus
Latin term for the boxwood evergreen shrub or tree.
This name
BoxA topographic name for someone living near a boxwood tree or hedge.
also spelled
Bocks
Boxxe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking in Nederland 1811–1940
Stadsarchief Delft, Bevolkingsregister van Delft
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen: Een overzicht van hun ontstaan en verspreiding, 2003
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ramLeadership and authority
ramLeadership and authority
lionCourage, strength and royalty
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
