A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dalen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6943 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 boeuf au nat., arrêté dans un pré, et senestré d'un arbre de sin.; au”
NetherlandsRotterdam, c. 1815
Where the Dalen Arms Were Recorded
Rotterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Dalen arms are recorded
The Dalen arms were recorded in Rotterdam, 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
Rotterdam
Town
Rotterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Dalen 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 Dalen 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 Dalen Family in Netherlands
The surname Dalen is a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe people who lived in or near a valley. In the Dutch language, the word "dal" translates directly to valley, and the suffix "en" often indicates a location or a place of origin. By the time the family appeared in official records in Rotterdam in 1815, the name had already been established for generations as a way to identify individuals by their local geography. During the early 19th century, Rotterdam was a bustling port city undergoing significant social changes, and families like the Dalens were often part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s trade and labor sectors. Because the name is rooted in a common landscape feature, it likely emerged independently in several different regions of the Netherlands before becoming a fixed family name in the city archives.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à un sauvage iss. de carn., ceint et cour. de lierre, tenant de sa main dextre une massue, posée sur son épaule et de sa sen. un bouclier ovale d'azur, à nombril du même; au 2 de sa. à trois étoiles (5) d'or.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Dalen Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Dalen arms are recorded
The Dalen 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 Netherlands when the Dalen 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 Dalen Family in Belgium
The surname Dalen is a topographic name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived in or near a valley. By the early eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the Duchy of Brabant, a region that now spans parts of modern-day Belgium. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1737, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local rural economy. During this period, Brabant was a center of significant social and political change under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. Families like the Dalens were deeply connected to the land, often moving between small parishes to find work or settle on new plots. Over time, the name became a fixed identifier for these individuals, linking their identity to the specific geography of the Brabant landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dal
A low-lying area or valley between hills.
This name
DalenRefers to someone who originated from a specific valley or low-lying landscape.
also spelled
Daelen
Dahlen
Related arms
Graumannsimilar arms
Dahlenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Rotterdam, Burgerlijke Stand: Geboorteakten, Huwelijksakten en Overlijdensakten (1811–1900)
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen Databank, 2000
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
