A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van den Bosch family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1735 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à un cerf ailé élancé d'or.”
NetherlandsGorinchem, c. 1815
Where the van den Bosch Arms Were Recorded
Gorinchem
Map of Netherlands showing where the van den Bosch arms are recorded
The van den Bosch arms were recorded in Gorinchem, 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
Gorinchem
Town
Gorinchem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the van den Bosch 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 Bosch 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 Bosch Family in Netherlands
The surname van den Bosch is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In the Dutch language, the name translates to "from the woods" or "from the forest." During the time before formal surnames were strictly regulated, families often adopted these names to distinguish themselves based on their proximity to local landmarks. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the fortified city of Gorinchem. This city served as a vital trade hub along the Merwede River, and families living there were often involved in the bustling maritime and merchant culture of the Netherlands. The presence of the van den Bosch family in Gorinchem by 1815 reflects a period when the Dutch government began requiring the formal registration of surnames for tax and military purposes. This transition helped solidify the family identity as they moved through the changing social landscape of the post-Napoleonic era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 la croix de sa., cant aux 1 et 4 d'une fleur-de-lis d'azur et aux 2 et 3 d'une quintefeuille du même.”
BelgiumBruges, c. 1737
Where the van den Bosch Arms Were Recorded
Bruges
Map of Belgium showing where the van den Bosch arms are recorded
The van den Bosch arms were recorded in Bruges, c. 1737.
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 Bosch 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 Belgium.
Origin & History of the van den Bosch Family in Belgium
The surname van den Bosch is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a forest or a wooded area. In the Dutch language, the name literally translates to "from the forest." By the time the family was firmly established in the city of Bruges in 1737, the name had already been in use for generations across the Low Countries. During this period, Bruges was a vital center for trade and craftsmanship, and families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of the city as merchants, artisans, or landowners. Because the name was tied to a common landscape feature, it emerged independently in several different regions of Belgium and the Netherlands. This means that many people who share the name today do not necessarily descend from a single ancestor, but rather from various families who all lived near similar wooded landmarks in their respective local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bos
A Dutch word referring to a forest, wood, or thicket.
This name
van den BoschIndicates a person who lived near or originated from a specific wooded area.
also spelled
Bosch
Bos
van den Bosh
Related arms
Sasse (van) van den Bosschesimilar arms
Sasse (van) van Ysseltsimilar arms
van Sassesimilar arms
Bosvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand: Geboorte-, huwelijks- en overlijdensakten
Regionaal Archief Gorinchem, Bevolkingsregister van de gemeente Gorinchem
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cinquefoilHope and joy
