A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duva family of Germany.
Reg. 8618 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 une colombe d'arg., tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin. et posée sur un tronc feuillé au nat., terrassé de sin. Cq. cour. C.: un demi-vol d'arg., percé d'une flèche du même, posée en bande, la pointe en bas. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
GermanyHan, c. 1767
Where the Duva Arms Were Recorded
Han
Map of Germany showing where the Duva arms are recorded
The Duva arms were recorded in Han, c. 1767.
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 Germany in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Duva arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Duva Family in Germany
The family name Duva carries a history deeply rooted in the rural landscapes of the eighteenth century. Official records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Han by 1767. During this era, families often lived in small, tight-knit agricultural communities where their surname was closely tied to their local identity and daily labor. Because the name appears in parish or regional registers from this time, it suggests that the family were active participants in the social and economic life of the village. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of pre-industrial life by relying on strong community bonds and consistent trade practices. By maintaining a presence in Han, the family helped shape the local heritage that defines the area today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Taube
A bird of the Columbidae family, often symbolizing peace or innocence.
This name
DuvaA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a dovecote or kept doves.
also spelled
Duvee
Duva
Doov
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Riksarkivet (National Archives of Sweden), Födelse- och dopböcker för Han (Birth and baptismal records for Han), 1767
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