A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Leeuw family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1552 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé-ondé, d'arg. à deux fasces ondées d'azur, sur azur à un cygne nageant d'arg., bq. de gu.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the de Leeuw Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Leeuw arms are recorded
The de Leeuw arms were recorded in Amsterdam, 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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the de Leeuw 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 Leeuw 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 de Leeuw Family in Netherlands
The surname de Leeuw is a classic example of a Dutch topographic and descriptive name, meaning "the lion" in English. During the early nineteenth century, the family was firmly established in the bustling urban environment of Amsterdam. At this time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social changes following the end of the Napoleonic era and the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Many families in Amsterdam during this period were deeply involved in the city's vibrant trade networks and the growing mercantile economy. By 1815, the name was already well-integrated into the administrative records of the city, reflecting the family's participation in the civic life of a nation transitioning into a modern state. The name itself likely originated as a way to identify individuals based on their residence or personal characteristics, and by the early 1800s, it served as a stable identifier for families navigating the evolving legal and social landscape of Dutch society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 lions d'arg.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the de Leeuw Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the de Leeuw arms are recorded
The de Leeuw 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 de Leeuw 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 de Leeuw Family in Belgium
The family name de Leeuw, which translates to "the lion," has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant. By the year 1737, records confirm that members of this family were already established within this area, which was then part of the Southern Netherlands under Austrian rule. During this period, the name functioned as a descriptive surname, likely identifying ancestors who lived near a house marked by a lion sign or who possessed a bold personality. Life in 18th-century Brabant was defined by a mix of agricultural work and growing trade, and families like the de Leeuws were often integrated into the local parish systems. These early generations were part of a society transitioning through significant political changes, yet they maintained a consistent presence in the region. Their history reflects the broader patterns of Flemish and Brabantine families who built their lives through local community ties and regional commerce long before the modern borders of Belgium were formally established.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Leo
Latin word for the animal lion.
This name
de LeeuwRefers to a person who lived at a house marked by a lion sign.
also spelled
Deleeu
Deleuw
de Layoo
Leeuw
Related arms
Norroysame arms
van Redingensimilar arms
de Leeuvariant spelling
Maasrecorded with de Leeuw, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry), 1811–1815
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand, 1811–1815
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1951
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
lionCourage, strength and royalty
