Map of Netherlands showing where the Holstad arms are recorded
The Holstad 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 Holstad 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 Holstad 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 Holstad Family in Netherlands
The family name Holstad carries a distinct history rooted in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in this coastal area, which was known for its unique culture and independent spirit. The name itself follows a geographic naming pattern common in Northern Europe, likely derived from Old Germanic roots referring to a hollow or sheltered place near a settlement. During the early 1800s, the Holstad family lived through a transformative period in Dutch history as the region transitioned from the Napoleonic era into the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands. Because Friesland maintained a strong tradition of record-keeping regarding land ownership and local census data, these early ancestors were documented as part of a society that valued agricultural stability and community ties. This foundation in the Frisian landscape suggests that the family was deeply integrated into the local economy and social structure of the time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à deux pointes d'or; à la fasce de gu., br. sur le tout et percée en rond. Cq. cour. C.: deux bras, celui à dextre paré d'azur et celui à sen. paré de gu., les mains de carn. supp. ensemble une boule d'azur. L. d'or, de gu. et d'azur.”
BrandenburgBrandenburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Holstad arms are recorded
The Holstad arms were recorded in Brandenburg, c. 1765.
Brandenburg was sandy farming country around Berlin, held in large estates by families who served as officers. Land and military service each brought arms, and most families there had both.
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 Netherlands when the Holstad 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 Brandenburg.
Origin & History of the Holstad Family in Germany
The family name Holstad traces its roots to the northern regions of Germany, where it developed as a topographic surname. In the German language, names of this type often described the specific landscape where a family lived, with the prefix holt referring to a wood or a forest. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Holstad family were established in the Brandenburg region. During this period, Brandenburg was a central power within the Kingdom of Prussia, and families living there were often involved in agricultural life or local trade. As the family settled into this area, they became part of the social fabric of the Prussian countryside, living through a time of significant political change and regional growth. Over generations, the name remained tied to these northern German lands before some family members eventually migrated to other parts of Europe and beyond.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois tulipes d'arg., tigées et feuillées de sin., mouv. d'un tertre du même; l'écu bordé d'or. C.: les tulipes, entre un vol de gu. L. de gu. et d'or.”
Swedenc. 1700
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Map of Sweden showing where the Holstad arms are recorded
The Holstad arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
Carl XII of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Carl XII of Sweden
1697–1718
Reigning in Netherlands when the Holstad arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Holstad Family in Sweden
The name Holstad traces its roots to the landscape of Sweden, where it emerged as a locational surname tied to the geography of the Nordic region. By the year 1700, records confirm that members of the family were established in Stockholm, a city that served as the bustling heart of the Swedish Empire during the early modern period. At this time, Stockholm was undergoing significant growth, and families like the Holstads were often part of the rising urban middle class or the skilled tradespeople who supported the capital’s expansion. The name itself likely refers to a "hollow place" or a settlement situated in a valley, reflecting a common naming tradition where families took their identity from the specific terrain of their ancestral home. As these individuals moved into the city, they carried this connection to the Swedish countryside with them, helping to weave their family history into the broader narrative of Stockholm’s development during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Holt and Stad
Wood or forest and a place, town, or settlement.
This name
HolstadA person who lived in a settlement located near a forest or wood.
also spelled
Holster
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland
Netherlands National Archives (Nationaal Archief), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Friesland
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
