A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Host family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6202 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion de gu.; au 2 d'or à la croix alésée d'arg. C.: une femme iss. de carn., posée de profil, le bras dextre étendu, les cheveux rassemblés en mèche sur l'occiput.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Host arms are recorded
The Host 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 Host 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 Host 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 Host Family in Netherlands
The family name Host has deep roots 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 well-established in this area. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, as was common for surnames developing in the Low Countries during the medieval period. In the Dutch language, the word "host" or similar variations often related to the concept of a guest or a host, suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have been innkeepers or individuals known for their hospitality. As the family lived in Friesland, they were part of a unique cultural landscape defined by the Frisian language and a strong tradition of local independence. By 1815, when the modern civil registry system was being standardized across the Netherlands, the Host family was already firmly integrated into the social and economic fabric of their Frisian community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a bull's head affrontée, couped at the neck ar. attired or, betw. two wings of the last”
EnglandLondon, c. 1634
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Map of England showing where the Host arms are recorded
The Host arms were recorded in London, c. 1634.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Netherlands when the Host 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 England.
Origin & History of the Host Family in England
The surname Host has roots that trace back to the bustling environment of seventeenth-century London. By 1634, records confirm that family members were established within the city, a time when London served as a primary hub for international trade and migration. The name itself is thought to be occupational or descriptive, likely originating from terms related to hospitality or the role of a host in a medieval community. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the merchant class, benefiting from the rapid economic growth of the capital. As these individuals navigated the social and political shifts of the Stuart period, they helped anchor the family name in English records, transitioning from their earlier origins into the documented history of London’s diverse urban population.
Host Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hostis
Latin term meaning an enemy, stranger, or guest.
This name
HostRefers to a stranger, a guest, or someone who provides hospitality.
also spelled
Hoste
Hoost
Hostt
Houst
Related arms
Hoastvariant spelling
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
Van der Aa, A.J., Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1852
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bullValour and generosity
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
