A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dykstra family of Netherlands.
Reg. 2776 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev. de sin., ch. de deux lions ramp. et affr. d'or.”
NetherlandsLeeuwarden, c. 1815
Where the Dykstra Arms Were Recorded
Leeuwarden
Map of Netherlands showing where the Dykstra arms are recorded
The Dykstra arms were recorded in Leeuwarden, 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
Leeuwarden
Town
Leeuwarden
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Dykstra 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 Dykstra 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 Dykstra Family in Netherlands
The surname Dykstra is a classic example of a Frisian habitational name, which means it describes where a person lived. In the Frisian language, the prefix "dyk" refers to a dike or embankment, while the suffix "stra" is a common ending used to denote someone who comes from a specific place. Therefore, the name originally identified an individual who lived near or worked on the dikes that protected the low-lying lands of the Netherlands from the sea. By 1815, records confirm that members of the Dykstra family were firmly established in the city of Leeuwarden. During this period, the Dutch government required citizens to adopt formal surnames for tax and census purposes, which helped solidify the spelling and usage of the name for future generations. This transition turned a descriptive nickname into a permanent family identity that has been passed down for over two centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dijk
A barrier or embankment constructed to prevent flooding.
This name
DykstraA person who lived near or worked on a dike or embankment.
also spelled
Dijkstra
Dykstrae
Dykstrah
Related arms
Dyxstravariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregister van Leeuwarden, 1815
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Huizinga, A., Encyclopedie van namen, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
