Map of Netherlands showing where the Van Der Walt arms are recorded
The Van Der Walt 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 Der Walt 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 Der Walt 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 Der Walt Family in Netherlands
The surname Van der Walt originates from the Dutch language and translates to mean "from the forest" or "of the woods." This name likely served as a topographic identifier for families who lived near a prominent wooded area or forest in the Low Countries. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Friesland in the northern Netherlands. During this period, the region was undergoing significant political changes following the end of Napoleonic rule. Families with this name were often involved in agricultural or trade activities that were central to the Frisian economy. As the family expanded, many individuals eventually migrated from their northern roots to other parts of Europe and beyond, carrying their name across international borders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wald
Germanic root meaning forest or woodland.
This name
Van Der WaltRefers to someone who lived near or managed a specific forest area.
also spelled
wilt
wilte
vanderwilte
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. 2003
Nederlands Instituut voor Genealogie en Heraldiek. Nederlandse Familienamenbank. 2010
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum). Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland. 1815
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
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