Map of Belgium showing where the Steyn arms are recorded
The Steyn arms were recorded in Guelders, c. 1737.
Guelders was river country in the east of the Netherlands, held by families whose estates sat along the water. Land there stayed in the same hands for generations, and long tenure is what fills a register of 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.
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 Belgium when the Steyn 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 Guelders.
Origin & History of the Steyn Family in Belgium
The family name Steyn finds its roots in the Low Countries, where it emerged as a descriptive surname linked to the Middle Dutch word for stone. While the name is widely recognized today for its deep ties to South African history, its early foundations are firmly planted in the region of Guelders. By 1737, records confirm that members of the Steyn family were established in this area, which was then a significant territory within the broader landscape of the Low Countries. During this era, families often moved across the borders of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands due to shifting political boundaries and the growth of trade networks. The name likely began as a way to identify individuals who lived near a prominent stone building or worked as stonemasons. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, eventually migrating outward from their ancestral home in Guelders to settle in various parts of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. de sa., acc. de trois canettes du même, bq. et m. de gu. Cq. cour. C.: une canette de l'écu, ess. D.: VIRTUS INVIDIA CRESCIT.”
NetherlandsHarlem, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Steyn arms are recorded
The Steyn arms were recorded in Harlem, 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
Harlem
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Steyn 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 Belgium when the Steyn 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 Steyn Family in Netherlands
The surname Steyn finds its roots in the Low Countries, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a prominent stone building or a rocky outcrop. In the Dutch language, the word "steen" refers to stone, and early variations of the name often appeared in official records as people began adopting permanent family identifiers during the late Middle Ages. By the early nineteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of Haarlem. Records from 1815 confirm that members of the Steyn family were active participants in the social and economic life of this historic Dutch city during a period of significant national transition. These early residents were part of a broader urban population that helped shape the local culture of Haarlem as the Netherlands emerged as a unified kingdom following the Napoleonic era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stein
A Middle High German word meaning stone or rock.
This name
SteynA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent stone or rocky outcrop.
also spelled
Stein
Stine
Related arms
Steinvariant spelling
van der Steenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 1993
Leibbrandt, H.C.V. Précis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope: Requesten (Memorials) 1715-1806. 1905
Gelders Archief, Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters (DTB) van Gelderland
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
