A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van den Berg family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3767 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à trois chev. de gu.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the van den Berg Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the van den Berg arms are recorded
The van den Berg 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 van den Berg 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 van den Berg 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 van den Berg Family in Netherlands
The surname van den Berg is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people based on the landscape where they lived. In the Dutch language, the name translates to "from the mountain" or "from the hill." Because the Netherlands is famously flat, these names often referred to small rises in the land, artificial mounds built to protect homes from flooding, or even the ruins of ancient fortifications. By the time the family was recorded in the northern province of Friesland in 1815, the name had already been in use for centuries across various Dutch regions. During this period, the Napoleonic administration required citizens to register permanent surnames for tax and military purposes. This formal registration process solidified the spelling of the name for many families who had previously used more fluid variations. The presence of the family in Friesland suggests they were part of the local community during a time of great social change as the modern Dutch state began to take its current shape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'arg. à deux lions affr. de gu, jouant de la patte, soutenus d'un tertre de sin. C.: les deux lions, ramp. et affr. [Henri van den Berg, roi d'armes de la province de Liége, décédé en 1674.]”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
Where the van den Berg Arms Were Recorded
Liege
Map of Belgium showing where the van den Berg arms are recorded
The van den Berg arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 van den Berg 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 Liege.
Origin & History of the van den Berg Family in Belgium
The surname van den Berg is a classic locative name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived near a prominent hill or mountain. In the context of Belgium, the name reflects the diverse geography of the region, where families often adopted the names of the natural landmarks surrounding their homes. By the time members of the family were documented in Liège in 1737, the name had already become a well-established way to identify individuals within their local communities. During the eighteenth century, Liège was a thriving center of industry and trade, and families with this name were likely integrated into the urban fabric of the city as artisans or merchants. Because the name is descriptive, it emerged independently in many different locations across the Low Countries, meaning that those living in Liège were part of a broader cultural tradition of identifying people by their relationship to the local landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
berg
A mountain, hill, or elevated piece of land.
This name
van den BergRefers to someone who lived near or on a mountain or hill.
also spelled
Berg
Related arms
Bustinsimilar arms
Bergvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1951
Van Berkel, G. and Samplonius, K., Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard, 2018
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand Friesland 1811-1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
