A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van Dyk family of Netherlands.
Reg. 2118 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à une digue de sin., touchant les flancs de l'écu, mouv. d'une eau au nat., et surm. de trois étoiles d'or, rangées en chef. C.: une étoile d'or.”
NetherlandsHarlem, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the van Dyk arms are recorded
The van Dyk arms were recorded in Harlem, 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
Harlem
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the van Dyk 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 Dyk 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 Dyk Family in Netherlands
The surname van Dyk originates from the Dutch language and translates literally to "from the dike." In the Netherlands, this name was often given to families who lived near or maintained the protective embankments that kept the low-lying countryside safe from flooding. By the early 19th century, members of the van Dyk family had established a presence in Harlem, which was then a rural village on the northern end of Manhattan. These early settlers were part of a long tradition of Dutch influence in the New York region that dated back to the original colonial era. As the area transformed from farmland into a bustling urban neighborhood, the family name became firmly rooted in the local community. Their presence in Harlem by 1815 reflects the steady growth of Dutch-descended families who helped shape the early social and economic landscape of New York City.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dijk
A barrier or embankment constructed to prevent flooding from water.
This name
van DykRefers to a person who lived near or worked on a protective dike.
also spelled
Vandyck
van Dike
Vandyke
Related arms
van Dyckvariant spelling
van Dyckevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Riker, James. Revised History of Harlem (City of New York): Its Origin and Early Annals. 1904
New York City Municipal Archives. New York City Census Records, 1810-1820
Stokes, I.N. Phelps. The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498-1909. 1915
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
