A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greve family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1979 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la croix d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Greve Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Greve arms are recorded
The Greve 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 Greve 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 Greve 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 Greve Family in Netherlands
The surname Greve originates from the Middle Low German word *greve*, which served as a title for a count or a local administrative official. In the context of the Netherlands, the name likely emerged as a descriptive nickname for a person who held such a position or perhaps acted in a manner similar to one. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the northern province of Friesland. The presence of the Greve family in this region by 1815 aligns with the period when the Dutch government began formalizing civil registrations. During this time, many families in the northern provinces were required to officially record their surnames for the first time, helping to solidify the name's place in local history. These early ancestors were likely part of the agrarian or merchant classes that defined the social structure of the Frisian countryside during the transition into the modern Dutch state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a fesse az. betw. three pellets, each charged with a lion's head erased of the first, a griffin pass. betw. two escallops or”
HertfordShinley · Hertford, c. 1523
Where the Greve Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Greve arms are recorded
The Greve arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1523.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 England in this period.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in Netherlands when the Greve arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Hertford.
Origin & History of the Greve Family in England
The surname Greve carries a deep history rooted in the administrative and social structures of medieval England. The name itself is derived from the Middle English word "greve," which functioned as a title for a local official or a steward who managed land on behalf of a lord. By the time the family appeared in the records of Hertford in 1523, they were likely established as members of the local community who held roles of responsibility or trade. During the sixteenth century, the town of Hertford was a significant market center, and families with this name were often involved in the agricultural or civic life that defined the region. Because the name originated as a functional title, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were individuals tasked with overseeing estates or maintaining order in their parishes. Over generations, what began as a description of a person’s job eventually transitioned into a permanent family name that was passed down through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gravis
Latin word meaning heavy, serious, or grave in demeanor.
This name
GreveAn occupational or descriptive name for a person holding a position of authority or a serious official.
also spelled
Greeve
Grev
Grieve
Greave
Related arms
Greensame arms
Graevevariant spelling
Greevevariant spelling
Grievevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
Van der Schaar, Jo. Woordenboek van voornamen. 1983
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Fryslân (1811-1950)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
