A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van Houten family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5649 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., sommé de cinq arbres de sin., un sur la cime et deux sur chaque jambe; le chev. acc. en p. d'une rose d'azur, bout. d'or, tigée et feuillée de sin. C.: un arbre de sin. L. d'arg. et de sin.”
NetherlandsMiddelbourg, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the van Houten arms are recorded
The van Houten arms were recorded in Middelbourg, 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
Middelbourg
Town
Middelbourg
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the van Houten 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 Houten 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 Houten Family in Netherlands
The surname van Houten is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In the Dutch language, the name translates to "from the wood" or "from the timber," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely resided near a forest or worked in the timber trade. By the early 19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Middelburg, a historic trading hub in the province of Zeeland. During this period, Middelburg was a center of commerce and maritime activity, providing a stable environment for families to grow and document their lives through official civil records. As the Netherlands transitioned into a modern kingdom after 1815, families like the van Houtens became part of the formal census and registration systems that defined Dutch social life. These records show that the family was well-integrated into the urban fabric of Zeeland, contributing to the local economy and community during a time of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
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)
“De gu. à trois flanchis d'arg.; au fr-q. du sec., ch. d'un arbre terrassé de sin.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Belgium showing where the van Houten arms are recorded
The van Houten arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Houten 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 Brabant.
Origin & History of the van Houten Family in Belgium
The surname van Houten originates from the Dutch language and translates to someone who lived near or worked with wood. In the historical region of Brabant, which spans parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands, this name emerged as a common way to identify families based on their local environment or trade. By 1737, records confirm that members of the van Houten family were well-established within the social and economic fabric of the Brabant territory. During this era, families in the region often centered their lives around small farming communities or local market towns. These early ancestors likely played a role in the agricultural development of the area, as the name suggests a deep connection to the forested landscapes that defined the Belgian countryside at the time. Their presence in the official records of the eighteenth century highlights a history of stability and long-term residency in the heart of the Low Countries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hout
A Dutch word referring to wood or a forest.
This name
van HoutenRefers to someone who lived near or originated from a specific wooded area.
also spelled
Vanhout
Related arms
Wernekesimilar arms
van Houttevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Zeeuws Archief, Burgerlijke Stand Zeeland (1811–1980)
Beiderbecke, F., Nederlandse Familienamen: Herkomst en Betekenis, 1992
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
