Map of Netherlands showing where the Shover arms are recorded
The Shover arms were recorded in Utrecht, c. 1815.
Utrecht was an old church town with rich farming country around it. Both the church and the land produced families of standing, and families of standing kept arms to seal their documents with.
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
Utrecht
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Shover 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 Shover 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 Utrecht.
Origin & History of the Shover Family in Netherlands
The family name Shover, often appearing in Dutch records as Schover or Schauver, has deep roots tied to the central region of the Netherlands. By the early 19th century, members of the family were firmly established in the city of Utrecht, which served as a major cultural and economic hub. During this period, the Netherlands was transitioning into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands following the Napoleonic Wars. Families like the Shovers were often involved in the local trades and civic life that defined Utrecht’s urban identity. Because Utrecht was a center for both religious and academic activity, the family likely benefited from the city's stable infrastructure and its long history of organized record-keeping. The presence of the family in 1815 suggests they were part of the growing middle class that navigated the social shifts of the post-Napoleonic era, contributing to the local community as the nation began to modernize its administrative and census systems.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à la fasce de gu., ch. d'une rose du champ et acc. de trois étoiles du sec.; au 2 de gu. au lion d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'arg., portant un baudrier en saut. de gu.; entre un vol, coupé alt. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Shover arms are recorded
The Shover arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Shover arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Shover Family in Germany
The family name Shover finds its roots in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it likely evolved as a descriptive surname linked to the occupations or physical traits of early ancestors. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a documented presence in the Kingdom of Bavaria, a region known for its complex social structures and deep agricultural traditions. During this era, families in Bavaria were often tied to specific local industries or land management roles, which helped shape their movement and community standing. The name reflects the linguistic shifts common in the Holy Roman Empire, where regional dialects influenced how names were recorded in parish registers and tax documents. As these ancestors lived through the mid-1700s, they participated in the daily life of a society transitioning through significant political and economic changes. This period in Bavaria serves as a foundational chapter for the family, marking their transition from local inhabitants to a lineage that would eventually spread across borders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schove
A Middle Dutch term referring to a shovel or a spade.
This name
ShoverAn occupational surname for a person who worked with a shovel or spade.
also spelled
Schobere
Shober
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Het Utrechts Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van de gemeente Utrecht (1811-1902)
Blok, D.P., Geschiedenis van de Nederlanden, 1987
Van der Meer, G., Utrecht in de negentiende eeuw, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
