A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elen family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1996 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une couleuvre ondoyante en pal d'or, surm. d'une couronne à l'antique du même.”
NetherlandsBois-le, c. 1815
Where the Elen Arms Were Recorded
Bois-le
Map of Netherlands showing where the Elen arms are recorded
The Elen arms were recorded in Bois-le, 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
Bois-le
Town
Bois-le
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Elen 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 Elen 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 Elen Family in Netherlands
The family name Elen has deep roots tied to the region of Bois-le-Duc, known in Dutch as 's-Hertogenbosch. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the Elen family were already established residents in this historic fortified city. During this period, the area was undergoing significant political shifts following the Napoleonic Wars and the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Families living in Bois-le-Duc at this time were often involved in the local trade, craftsmanship, or agricultural sectors that defined the economy of the North Brabant province. The name Elen likely evolved from local naming customs in the Low Countries, where surnames were often derived from personal names or specific geographic locations. As the family navigated the transition into the nineteenth century, they became part of the enduring social fabric of this ancient city, leaving behind a legacy that remains documented in the regional archives of the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Helene
Derived from the Greek word for torch or shining light.
This name
ElenA Dutch patronymic or habitational name signifying a descendant of someone named Helen.
also spelled
Ellen
Related arms
Ellenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (BHIC), Bevolkingsregister 's-Hertogenbosch
Gemeente 's-Hertogenbosch, 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.
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
