A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van der Linden family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4055 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu.; au chef d'arg., ch. de trois maillets penchés de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un maillet penché de sa., entre un vol-banneret d'arg. S.: à dextre un lion d'or, tenant une bannière aux armes de l'écu; à sen. un tigre au nat., tenant une bannière d'or à la fasce d'azur, acc. de trois maillets penchés de gu. (van der Linden à Bruxelles).”
Netherlandsc. 1663
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Map of Netherlands showing where the van der Linden arms are recorded
The van der Linden arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1663.
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
1663
Granting Authority for the van der Linden 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.
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 der Linden Family in Netherlands
The surname van der Linden is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In Dutch, the name translates to "from the linden tree," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely resided near a prominent or landmark lime tree. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the northern province of Friesland. During this era, Friesland was a region defined by its distinct legal customs and strong sense of local identity. Families living there often maintained deep ties to the land, and the adoption of this surname helped distinguish individuals within their local communities. As the family grew, they became part of the broader social fabric of the Netherlands, reflecting the common practice of using natural features to identify one's home and heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 à un tilleul arr. de sin., acc. de trois maillets penchés de sa.”
BelgiumBruxelles, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the van der Linden arms are recorded
The van der Linden arms were recorded in Bruxelles, 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 der Linden 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 der Linden Family in Belgium
The surname van der Linden is a classic topographical name that originated in the Low Countries, meaning "from the linden tree." In the context of Belgium, this name often identified families who lived near a prominent lime or linden tree, which frequently served as a central meeting point or a landmark in medieval village squares. By the time members of the family were documented in Brussels in 1737, the name had already been established for generations across the Brabant region. During this era, Brussels was a bustling center of trade and administration under the Austrian Netherlands, and families like the van der Lindens were often integrated into the local urban economy as skilled tradespeople or merchants. Their presence in the city during the eighteenth century reflects the broader movement of families from rural areas into the growing capital, where they contributed to the social and civic life of the city as it transitioned through various periods of European influence.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
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 trois mâcles d'or.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the van der Linden arms are recorded
The van der Linden arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the van der Linden arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the van der Linden Family in France
The family name van der Linden originated as a topographic surname, meaning "from the linden tree," and was commonly used by families living near a prominent tree of that species in the Low Countries. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the region of Flanders. During this era, Flanders was a complex territory that saw frequent shifting of borders and cultural influence between the Spanish Netherlands and the Kingdom of France. As the French monarchy under Louis XIV expanded its reach into these northern lands, families like the van der Lindens often found themselves navigating a changing political landscape. While their roots remained deeply tied to the Flemish language and local customs, the family name began to appear in broader administrative records as the French state increased its influence over the border regions. This transition marked a period where local families began to integrate into the wider history of the French-speaking world while maintaining their distinct ancestral heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Linde
A type of deciduous tree known as the linden or lime tree.
This name
van der LindenRefers to someone who lived near a prominent linden tree or a grove of such trees.
also spelled
Vanderlinde
Related arms
Boonensimilar arms
van den Eyndesimilar arms
Wittemansimilar arms
Linden (van der) - Delftvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen: Databank, 2000
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters (DTB) van Friesland, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
