A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Van Dillen family of Netherlands.
Reg. 5978 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au lion léopardé de gu., tenant entre ses pattes une boule d'azur; au chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles du champ. - Armes mod.: Coupé: au 1 parti: a. d'or à un cerf élancé au nat., br. sur le fût d'un arbre de sin., terrassé du même; b. de gu. à un agneau pascal pass. d'arg.; au 2 d'or au lion couché de gu., arm. et lamp. d'azur, la tête cont., tenant entre ses pattes une boule d'azur. A la fasce d'azur, br. sur le coupé et ch. de trois étoiles d'or. C.: le lion tenant la boule, iss. et reg.”
UtrechtHarlem · Utrecht, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Van Dillen arms are recorded
The Van Dillen arms were recorded in Utrecht, c. 1815.
Utrecht was an old church town with rich farming country around it. Both the church and the land produced families of standing, and families of standing kept arms to seal their documents with.
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
Utrecht
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Van Dillen 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 Dillen 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 Utrecht.
Origin & History of the Van Dillen Family in Netherlands
The family name Van Dillen originates from the Netherlands and functions as a topographic surname, which means it was likely chosen to describe the place where an ancestor lived. In Dutch, the prefix "van" indicates that a person came from a specific location, while "Dillen" is thought to be derived from a local geographic feature or a small settlement near the city of Utrecht. By the early nineteenth century, the family was firmly established within Utrecht, a city with a rich history dating back to Roman times. During the year 1815, which marked a major turning point in Dutch history as the country became a unified kingdom, records confirm that members of the Van Dillen family were active participants in the local community. These early ancestors were likely involved in the trades or agricultural activities that supported the growing urban center of Utrecht during the post-Napoleonic era. As the family grew, they remained connected to the region, helping to weave the name into the social fabric of the province for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dille
A plant species known as dill or a small valley.
This name
Van DillenRefers to someone who originated from a place called Dillen or a valley area.
also spelled
van Dillen
van Diel
van Dielin
van Deelen
Vandillen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Het Utrechts Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van de gemeente Utrecht (1811-1902)
Nationaal Archief, Bevolkingsregisters van de provincie Utrecht
Bakker, T., Nederlandse familienamen in historisch perspectief, 2005
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van familienamen, 1992
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
