Map of Netherlands showing where the Margraff arms are recorded
The Margraff arms were recorded in Bois-le, 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.
Region
Bois-le
Town
Bois-le
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Margraff 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 Margraff 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 Margraff Family in Netherlands
The family name Margraff is rooted in the Germanic title of Margrave, which historically referred to a nobleman responsible for defending a border territory. Over time, this title evolved into a surname used to identify individuals who served in administrative or military roles for local lords. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the Margraff family were established in the region of Bois-le-Duc, also known as 's-Hertogenbosch. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant political change as the Netherlands transitioned into a new kingdom following the Napoleonic Wars. Living in a fortified city like Bois-le-Duc suggests that the early Margraff ancestors were likely involved in the urban life of the region, perhaps working as skilled craftsmen or local officials who helped maintain the stability of the town during its reconstruction.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Markgraf
A count or governor responsible for a border territory or march.
This name
MargraffAn occupational title for a person who served as a borderland official.
also spelled
Margraf
Margraff
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
