A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haf family of Netherlands.
Reg. 5220 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une herse de labour triangulaire de sa., sommée d'une merlette du même. C.: la merlette.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Haf Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Haf arms are recorded
The Haf 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 Haf 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 Haf 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 Haf Family in Netherlands
The family name Haf has deep roots in the northern region of the Netherlands known as Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well established in this coastal area. The name itself is short and distinct, often linked to the geography of the North Sea coastline where the term refers to a harbor or a sheltered bay. During the period around 1815, families in Friesland were deeply connected to the land and the maritime traditions of the region. As the Netherlands underwent significant social changes and administrative reforms during this time, the Haf family was part of a community defined by its unique Frisian language and strong local identity. Their presence in the historical records of 1815 reflects a long history of life in the northern provinces, where families often took names that described their close relationship with the water and the surrounding landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haf
A Frisian or Low German term referring to a harbor or port.
This name
HafA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked at a harbor.
also spelled
Haef
Haf
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry), Friesland 1811–1950
Hofstra, T., Friese familienamen: een overzicht, 1995
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
