A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van der Valk family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9116 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion naiss. de gu., mouv. du coupé; au 2 d'azur à un faucon d'arg., chaperonné d'or, perché sur une branche de sin. en bande. Cq. cour. C.: le lion iss. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et de gu. - (Nob. du St.-Empire, 15 nov. 1416.) Parti de deux traits, coupé de deux autres, qui font neuf quartiers: aux 1 et 6 d'azur à un faucon d'arg., chaperonné d'or, perché sur une branche de sin. en bande; aux 2 et 7 d'or au lion de gu.; aux 3 et 8 d'or à trois têtes d'aigle de sa.; aux 4 et 9 de sin. à un lévrier ramp. d'arg.; au 5 de sa. à deux épées d'or, passées en saut. Deux cq., le 1 cour. C.: 1° le faucon, cont., sans branche; 1° d'or et d'azur; 2° le lion iss.; 1° d'or et de gu. S.: deux griffons au nat., ailés de gu.”
Netherlandsc. 1725
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Map of Netherlands showing where the van der Valk arms are recorded
The van der Valk arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1725.
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
1725
Granting Authority for the van der Valk 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 Valk Family in Netherlands
The family name Van der Valk is a topographic surname, which means it was originally chosen to describe the physical location where an ancestor lived. In the Dutch language, the name translates to "from the falcon," suggesting that the earliest family members likely resided near a place, house, or piece of land marked by a sign or a landmark featuring a falcon. By 1725, records confirm that the family was well-established in the northern province of Friesland. During this period, families in the region often identified themselves by their connection to specific homesteads or local geography. As the family grew, they moved through the Dutch provinces, eventually becoming known for their strong ties to the hospitality industry and trade. The name remains a classic example of how Dutch surnames evolved from simple descriptions of a person's home into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
falko
A Germanic word referring to the bird of prey, the falcon.
This name
van der ValkIndicates a person who lived at or near a house named after a falcon.
also spelled
valk
valcke
vandervalcke
Related arms
Valckevariant spelling
Valkvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1957
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters (DTB) van Friesland, 1725
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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
branchPeace, and new growth
