A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rives family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2663 · Dutch, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
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)
“De gu. à trois poissons d'arg., en pals, courbés à sen., rangés en fasce, le premier plus petit que le second, et celui-ci plus petit que le troisième.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Rives arms are recorded
The Rives arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Rives 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 Rives 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 Rives Family in Netherlands
The history of the Rives name in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the distinct cultural landscape of the northern province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, families bearing this name were well established within the Frisian community, a region known for its unique language and strong tradition of local independence. The name likely evolved as a topographical descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near riverbanks or sloping terrain, which was a common way to identify families before modern surnames became strictly standardized. In 1815, when the Netherlands began to formalize civil registration and census records, the Rives family was already integrated into the local social fabric. Their presence during this transformative period in Dutch history suggests that they were part of a stable, land-holding or artisan class that helped shape the rural development of the province. Over time, the family adapted to the changing political climate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands while maintaining their ties to the Frisian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend cotised sa. three mascles erm”
DorsetDamory Court · Dorset, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Rives arms are recorded
The Rives arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Rives arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dorset.
Origin & History of the Rives Family in England
The surname Rives has deep roots in the English county of Dorset, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be a variation of the Old French word rive, which translates to riverbank or shore. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent body of water or a steep slope. By 1620, records show that members of the Rives family were well-settled in the region, participating in the local social and economic life of the English countryside. During this period, the family was part of the growing class of landowners and professionals who helped shape the rural landscape of southern England. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from local agricultural life to positions of greater influence within their communities during the transition into the Stuart era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend cotised sa. three fusils erm”
Irelandc. 1624
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Map of Ireland showing where the Rives arms are recorded
The Rives arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1624.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Rives arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Rives Family in Ireland
The Rives family name established a documented presence in Ireland by the early seventeenth century, specifically appearing in Dublin records by 1624. While the name is often associated with French or English origins, its arrival in Ireland coincided with a period of significant migration and administrative change. During this era, individuals bearing the name integrated into the urban life of Dublin, likely participating in the trade and legal networks that defined the city at the time. These early settlers were part of a broader movement of families who moved across the Irish Sea to seek new opportunities in commerce and government service. By settling in the capital, the Rives family became part of the evolving social fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland, leaving behind traces in official registers that confirm their role in the city's development.
Rives Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ripa
Latin term referring to the bank or shore of a river.
This name
RivesA topographic surname for someone who lived near a riverbank or shore.
also spelled
Ryves
Rivees
Rivess
Reevs
Related arms
de Rivevariant spelling
Rivevariant spelling
Ryvesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Nederland's Patriciaat
Dijkstra, B., Friese familienamen: oorsprong en verspreiding, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
