Map of Netherlands showing where the Nobel arms are recorded
The Nobel arms were recorded in Rotterdam, 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
Rotterdam
Town
Rotterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Nobel 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 Nobel 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 Nobel Family in Netherlands
The Nobel family history in the Netherlands began to take clear shape in the early nineteenth century, particularly within the bustling port city of Rotterdam. By 1815, records show that members of the family were already established residents, living and working in a city that served as a vital hub for international trade and maritime activity. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname in older Germanic languages, often used to identify someone who possessed a noble or generous character. As these individuals settled in Rotterdam, they integrated into the local economy during a time of significant change following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Their presence in such a key commercial center suggests that the family was part of the growing urban middle class that helped rebuild the Dutch economy. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the region, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and social development that defined Dutch life during the nineteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or à trois pals d'azur; au chef de gu., ch. à dextre d'une merlette d'arg.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
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 Nobel arms are recorded
The Nobel arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Netherlands when the Nobel 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 Brabant.
Origin & History of the Nobel Family in Belgium
The history of the Nobel family in Belgium begins in the historic region of Brabant, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. During this period, the name was associated with families living in the rural landscapes between Brussels and Antwerp. Life in eighteenth-century Brabant was defined by agriculture and local trade, and the Nobels were part of the hardworking population that sustained the region’s economy. As the family moved through these towns, they became integrated into the local social fabric, often appearing in parish registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant political transition as the region moved between different European powers, yet they maintained a steady presence in the local community. By studying these humble beginnings, we see that the family name was rooted in the daily rhythms of Belgian village life long before it became associated with global scientific achievements.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
nobilis
Latin term meaning well-known, famous, or of high birth.
This name
NobelRefers to a person of noble character, high social status, or aristocratic descent.
also spelled
Nobell
Nobelle
Related arms
Stocke (van den) - Brabsame arms
Noblevariant spelling
Noble du Revestvariant spelling
Noble (le) - Flandrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
