Map of Germany showing where the Holden arms are recorded
The Holden arms were recorded in Brunswick, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Holden arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Holden Family in Germany
The family name Holden has deep roots in the German region of Brunswick, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1765. In the German language, the name is often linked to the word *hold*, which translates to gracious, friendly, or loyal. During the eighteenth century, families in this area were often identified by their trade or their character traits, and the name likely served as a descriptor for an individual known for their helpful or kind nature. As the family grew within the Duchy of Brunswick, they became part of a society shaped by agricultural traditions and the rising influence of local craft guilds. By living in this specific region, the early Holdens were situated in a hub of trade and culture that connected northern Germany to the rest of Europe. This environment allowed the family to put down firm roots and contribute to the local community for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. six allerions gu. three, two, and one, in the centre an escutcheon of the last”
LancasterHolden · Lancaster, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Holden arms are recorded
The Holden arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Germany when the Holden 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Holden Family in England
The surname Holden is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in specific places known as "holdens." In Old English, the term referred to a hollow or a sheltered valley, suggesting that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were likely farmers or settlers residing in these protected lowlands. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Lancashire, particularly around the town of Lancaster. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, living through a time of significant social and religious change in Northern England. As the name spread from these rural valleys, it became a marker of families who had deep roots in the rugged landscape of the English north.
Holden Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hold
Derived from the Germanic word for gracious, friendly, or loyal.
This name
HoldenA topographic name for someone who lived in a hollow or a valley.
also spelled
Holdener
Holdin
Holdon
Holdyn
Related arms
Howdon, or Houdonsame arms
Hondonsimilar arms
Holdingvariant spelling
Holdonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum, Personenstandsregister des Herzogtums Braunschweig, 1765
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Braunschweig, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
