Map of Netherlands showing where the Pastor arms are recorded
The Pastor 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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Pastor 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 Pastor 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 Pastor Family in Netherlands
The surname Pastor carries a deep historical connection to the role of the clergy within European society. Derived from the Latin word for shepherd, the name was originally used as an occupational title for a parish priest or a spiritual leader. By the time members of the family were documented in Amsterdam in 1815, the name had transitioned from a professional description into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the early nineteenth century, Amsterdam was a bustling center of trade and social change, and families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of the city as it recovered from the Napoleonic era. Because the name reflects a long-standing tradition of community service and religious guidance, it suggests that the earliest ancestors likely held respected positions within their local neighborhoods. As these families settled into Dutch life, they contributed to the diverse cultural identity that defined the Netherlands during the nineteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une tour de gu., sommée d'une aigle de sa., le vol étendu; à la bord. de gu., ch. de quatre flanchis d'or, posés dans les cantons.)”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Pastor arms are recorded
The Pastor arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Netherlands when the Pastor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aragon.
Origin & History of the Pastor Family in Spain
The surname Pastor has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, originating as an occupational name for those who worked as shepherds or herdsmen. In the medieval period, this title was often given to individuals who held a position of responsibility over livestock, which was a vital part of the rural economy in regions like Aragon. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established within the social fabric of the Aragonese countryside. Records from 1722 confirm that members of the Pastor family were active participants in their local communities during this time. As the name spread across Spain, it evolved from a simple job description into a formal family identifier that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader historical trend where common trades became the foundation for permanent surnames in Spanish society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pastor
Latin term meaning shepherd or one who tends to livestock.
This name
PastorOccupational surname for a clergyman or a person who herded sheep.
also spelled
Pastore
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
