A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hive family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0267 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. au saut. d'or, acc. de une aigle ép. du même en chef, et de trois forces d'or, les pointes en bas, 2 aux flancs et 1 en p. C.: une force de l'écu; entre un vol, de sa. et d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Hive arms are recorded
The Hive 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 Hive 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 Hive 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 Hive Family in Netherlands
The surname Hive appears to have deep roots in the northern coastal region of Friesland, where records confirm family members were established by 1815. During this period, the Frisian landscape was defined by its unique legal traditions and a strong emphasis on local autonomy, which often influenced how families identified themselves within their communities. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common in the northern Netherlands, where surnames were often adopted to reflect a person’s trade, a specific location, or a notable family trait. As the family navigated the social changes of the early nineteenth century, they remained part of a distinct cultural group known for its resilience and maritime connections. By settling in this area, the early Hive family became part of the long history of Frisian farmers and traders who helped shape the identity of the province during a time of significant political transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hieve
A Middle Dutch term referring to a beehive or container.
This name
HiveA topographic or occupational name for someone who kept bees or lived near a beehive.
also spelled
Hovee
Hovve
Hov
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Wumkes, G.A., Stads- en dorpskroniek van Friesland, 1930
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