Map of Netherlands showing where the Knibb arms are recorded
The Knibb arms were recorded in Zeeland, c. 1815.
Zeeland was a scatter of islands in the south-west of the Netherlands, living on the sea and on land reclaimed from it. Families who drained and held that land were counted among the gentry, and gentry carried 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
Zeeland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Knibb 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 Knibb 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 Zeeland.
Origin & History of the Knibb Family in Netherlands
The family name Knibb has deep roots in the coastal province of Zeeland, where official records confirm the family was established by at least 1815. During this period, Zeeland was a region defined by its constant struggle against the sea and its reliance on maritime trade and agriculture. The name likely evolved from local nicknames or occupational descriptions common in the Low Countries, reflecting the linguistic shifts of the Dutch language during the transition into the nineteenth century. Families in this area often lived in close-knit communities along the reclaimed polders, where they played a role in the local economy of the Dutch islands. As the Napoleonic era ended and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed, the Knibb family became part of the formal civil registration process, which solidified their presence in the regional archives of the time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au lion léopardé de sa. (ou, ces armes augmentées d'un canton de gu., ch. d'un chev. d'herm.) C.: un lion iss. de sa., entre un vol d'arg.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Belgium showing where the Knibb arms are recorded
The Knibb arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip IV of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of Spain
1621–1665
Reigning in Netherlands when the Knibb arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the Knibb Family in Belgium
The history of the Knibb family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the historical region of Flanders, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a center for trade and agriculture, and families like the Knibbs were often part of the local social fabric that sustained the economy of the Low Countries. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic or regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as communities interacted across the borders of modern-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. By living in Flanders, these early ancestors were situated in a landscape defined by constant cultural exchange and shifting political boundaries. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their heritage in the region, documenting a lineage that survived through centuries of regional development and social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Knibbe
A Middle Dutch term referring to a small piece or a crumb.
This name
KnibbA topographic or occupational name likely denoting someone who lived on a small plot of land.
also spelled
Knib
Knibe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Zeeuws Archief, Burgerlijke Stand Zeeland (1811–1950)
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
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
