A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Block family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8271 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
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 trois demi-vols d'arg.”
UtrechtUtrecht, c. 1815
Where the de Block Arms Were Recorded
Utrecht
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Block arms are recorded
The de Block arms were recorded in Utrecht, c. 1815.
Utrecht was an old church town with rich farming country around it. Both the church and the land produced families of standing, and families of standing kept arms to seal their documents with.
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
Utrecht
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the de Block 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 de Block 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 Utrecht.
Origin & History of the de Block Family in Netherlands
The surname de Block is a descriptive name that likely originated from the physical characteristics or the occupation of its earliest bearers. In the Dutch language, the word "blok" often referred to a sturdy or thickset person, or perhaps someone who worked with heavy wooden blocks in construction or trade. By the time the family was firmly established in Utrecht in 1815, the name had become a fixed identifier passed down through generations. During the early 19th century, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their surnames due to the introduction of the Napoleonic civil registry. This period required families to formalize their names for official government records, which helped solidify the spelling and lineage of the de Block family within the urban landscape of Utrecht. As the city grew into a major hub for trade and administration, the family integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la bande d'arg., ch. de trois verres de sin., posés dans le sens de la bande, ch. chacun d'une merle de [?] (sées d'or.”
BelgiumGand, c. 1737
Where the de Block Arms Were Recorded
Gand
Map of Belgium showing where the de Block arms are recorded
The de Block arms were recorded in Gand, c. 1737.
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 de Block 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 Belgium.
Origin & History of the de Block Family in Belgium
The family name de Block has deep roots in the historical landscape of Belgium, particularly within the city of Ghent. By the early 18th century, the name was already firmly established in this region, as evidenced by records confirming family members were living in Ghent by 1737. During this era, the name likely functioned as a descriptive identifier, often linked to individuals who lived near a prominent block of buildings or a specific landmark in the urban environment. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the complex economic shifts of the Low Countries. Their presence in Ghent suggests they were likely involved in the city’s long-standing traditions of trade and craftsmanship, which defined the daily lives of many families in the region during the 1700s. Through these early generations, the de Block name became a lasting part of the history of East Flanders.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 deux fasces alé-”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the de Block Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the de Block arms are recorded
The de Block arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the de Block arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the de Block Family in France
The family name de Block finds its roots in the historic region of Flanders, which straddled the border between modern-day France and Belgium during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, living in a landscape defined by shifting political boundaries and the influence of both French and Dutch cultures. The name itself is descriptive, likely originating from a nickname for a person of sturdy or solid build, or perhaps referring to someone who lived near a prominent block of land or a fortification. During this period, families in the region often navigated the complex transition of territories from Spanish control to French rule under King Louis XIV. As the French state expanded its reach into the northern provinces, the de Block family became part of a local population that balanced traditional Flemish customs with the growing administrative influence of the French crown. This era of history shaped the family as they adapted to new legal systems and social structures while maintaining their deep ties to the land of their ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Block
A heavy piece of wood or a solid mass.
This name
de BlockRefers to a person who lived near a large wooden block or worked as a woodcutter.
also spelled
Deblok
Block
Related arms
Block (de) - Gandsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Het Utrechts Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van de gemeente Utrecht (1811–1902)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen: verklaring van de voornamen van mannen en vrouwen, 1964
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
