A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Winter family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0344 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 les armes de famille; aux 2 et 3 de sin. à un vaisseau de trois mâts, les voiles ferlées, les pavillons flottant vers dextre, le tout d'or. T.: deux matelots coiffés de leurs chapeaux, tenant chacun une bannière, attachée à une lance de tournoi, celle à dextre de gu. au lion d'or, tenant de sa patte dextre une épée et de sa sen. un faisceau de flèches, la bannière sen. d'azur, ch. du chiffre L N d'or. D.: MOED.”
Netherlandsc. 1810
Where the de Winter Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Winter arms are recorded
The de Winter arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1810.
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
1810
Granting Authority for the de Winter 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.
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 Winter Family in Netherlands
The surname de Winter is a classic example of a descriptive name that emerged from the daily lives of people in the Low Countries. In the Dutch language, the name literally translates to "the winter," and it was often given to individuals who were born during the coldest months of the year or perhaps to those who had a particularly cold or stern personality. By the early 19th century, the family had established a clear presence in the northern province of Friesland. This period was a time of significant change for Dutch surnames, as the Napoleonic administration required all citizens to formally register their family names in official civil records. The presence of the de Winter family in Friesland by 1810 suggests they were part of this important transition toward modern record-keeping, which helped solidify the name as a permanent family identity across the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à trois trèfles de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un vaisseau à un seul mât, voguant sur une mer, le tout au nat. S. à sen.: un lion reg. d'or. D.: DEO.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the de Winter Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the de Winter arms are recorded
The de Winter arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 Winter 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 Winter Family in Belgium
The family name de Winter has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. In the Dutch language, the name literally translates to "the winter," which likely originated as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor. During the eighteenth century, such names were often given to people based on their physical traits, their temperament, or the season in which they were born or baptized. As the family established itself within the local communities of the Southern Netherlands, they were part of a society shaped by agricultural cycles and the complex political shifts of the Austrian Netherlands. By tracing their presence in Brabant, we see a family that integrated into the local Flemish culture, likely working in trades or farming that defined the daily life of the region during that era. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the local population, reflecting the long history of families who built their lives in the heart of what is now modern-day Belgium.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Winter
The coldest season of the year.
This name
de WinterA topographic or habitational name for someone who lived during winter or was associated with the season.
also spelled
Winter
Wynter
Wyntre
Related arms
Wintervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Tresoar (Fryske Histoaryske en Letterkundige Rige), Burgerlijke Stand Friesland 1811-1950
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
