A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lehew family of Netherlands.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à un lion pass. au nat.”
The Lehew arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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 Netherlands in this period.
Reigning in Netherlands when the Lehew arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Lehew is believed to have roots in the French-speaking regions of Europe before members of the family migrated to the Netherlands. By 1815, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in Amsterdam, a city that served as a major hub for trade and cultural exchange during the early nineteenth century. During this period, the name likely underwent subtle changes in spelling as it adapted to the Dutch language and local record-keeping practices. Many families with similar surnames were involved in the merchant class or skilled trades, which allowed them to integrate into the bustling urban economy of post-Napoleonic Amsterdam. Over time, the family transitioned from their European origins to become part of the diverse social fabric of the city, eventually carrying the name across borders as they sought new opportunities in the decades that followed.
Old French term meaning the high or elevated place.
