A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greven family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1990 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à une fasce de sa., et un chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles d'or; au 2 les armes de de Wolf de Westerrode, qui sont d'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois merlettes du même.”
NetherlandsZwolle, c. 1815
Where the Greven Arms Were Recorded
Zwolle
Map of Netherlands showing where the Greven arms are recorded
The Greven arms were recorded in Zwolle, 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
Zwolle
Town
Zwolle
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Greven 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 Greven 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 Greven Family in Netherlands
The family name Greven originates from the Germanic word *greve*, which historically served as a title for a local official or a count. In the medieval period, this term was often used to describe someone who acted as a representative of a ruler or managed administrative duties within a specific region. By the time the family was firmly established in the Dutch city of Zwolle in 1815, the name had transitioned from a formal title into a hereditary surname used to identify specific households. Families living in Zwolle during the early nineteenth century were often part of the growing merchant or craft classes that helped define the city's identity during the transition into the modern era. The presence of the Greven name in these official records reflects the family's integration into the local community and their participation in the civic life of the Overijssel province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graaf
A noble title equivalent to a count or earl.
This name
GrevenRefers to someone who served in the household of a count.
also spelled
Grevenn
Grevene
Greve
Related arms
Grevevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisch Centrum Overijssel, Bevolkingsregister van de gemeente Zwolle
Historisch Centrum Overijssel, Burgerlijke Stand van de gemeente Zwolle, Geboorteakten 1815
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van familienamen, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
