A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duve family of Germany.
Reg. 2991 · 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 Duve Arms Were Recorded
Han
Map of Germany showing where the Duve arms are recorded
The Duve 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 Duve 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 Duve Family in Germany
The family name Duve originates from the Low German word for dove, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a gentle or peaceful nature. By the mid-18th century, the family established a notable presence in the town of Han, located in what is now modern-day Germany. Records from 1767 confirm that members of the Duve family were active participants in the local community during this period. As was common for families in this region, they likely worked in trades or agriculture that supported the growth of the local economy. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the area, reflecting the broader patterns of movement and settlement seen in northern European history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dūve
Middle Low German word for a dove or pigeon.
This name
DuveAn occupational name for a bird catcher or a nickname for a gentle person.
also spelled
Duvee
Duva
Doov
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87