A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hals family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3125 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la fasce brét. et c.-brét. de sa.; au fr.-q. d'azur, ch. d'un chien au nat.”
NetherlandsBois-le, c. 1815
Where the Hals Arms Were Recorded
Bois-le
Map of Netherlands showing where the Hals arms are recorded
The Hals 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 Hals 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 Hals 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 Hals Family in Netherlands
The family name Hals has deep roots in the southern regions of the Netherlands, particularly in the area known as Bois-le-Duc, or 's-Hertogenbosch. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this historic city. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or descriptive surname, which was common in the Low Countries during the Middle Ages. In Dutch, the word "hals" translates to "neck," and it was often used as a nickname for someone with a distinct physical feature or perhaps someone who lived near a narrow passage or a bend in a river. As the family settled in the Brabant region, they became part of the local social fabric, living through the significant political shifts that transformed the Netherlands from a collection of provinces into a unified kingdom by 1815. Through these generations, the family name remained a constant marker of their identity within the dense urban and rural landscapes of the Dutch southern territories.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a fesse betw. three griffins' heads erased sa”
DevonBeauford · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Hals Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Hals arms are recorded
The Hals arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hals 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Hals Family in England
The family name Hals is deeply rooted in the history of Devon, England, where it has been established for several centuries. By the early 1600s, the family was well-settled in the region, particularly around the area of Efford. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely originating from an Old English word referring to a neck of land or a narrow ridge. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were identified by the specific landscape where they lived and worked. As the family grew in prominence during the seventeenth century, they became active participants in local governance and land management. Their presence in Devon by 1620 reflects a long-standing connection to the rural landscape of the West Country, where they remained influential figures in their community for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hals
A Dutch word referring to the neck or a narrow passage.
This name
HalsA topographic name for someone who lived near a narrow neck of land or a mountain pass.
also spelled
Halse
Halsh
Halss
Halsse
Hale
Related arms
Halevariant spelling
Hallevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (BHIC), Bevolkingsregister 's-Hertogenbosch
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Noord-Brabant
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen Databank, 2000
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1950
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
