A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Berg family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3528 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à un oiseau d'arg., le vol levé; aux 2 et 3 de sa. au griffon pass. d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the de Berg Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Berg arms are recorded
The de Berg arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
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
1815
Granting Authority for the de Berg 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 Berg 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 Berg Family in Netherlands
The family name de Berg is a topographical surname, which means it was originally chosen to describe the landscape where a person lived. In the Dutch language, the word "berg" translates to mountain or hill. During the early nineteenth century, families in the Netherlands often adopted or solidified their surnames as government record-keeping became more formal. By 1815, records confirm that members of the de Berg family were established in the province of Friesland. This region is known for its unique cultural history and its distinct Frisian language. Living in this area suggests that the family likely worked in agriculture or maritime trades, which were the primary ways of life in the northern coastal provinces at that time. As the family moved through the generations, the name served as a link to their ancestral connection to the elevated terrain of their original home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berg
A Germanic term referring to a mountain, hill, or elevated terrain.
This name
de BergIndicates someone who lived near or originated from a hill or mountain.
also spelled
de Berge
de Bergh
Berg
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) records for the province of Friesland, 1811–1950
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1963
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.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
