Map of Netherlands showing where the Van Schaik arms are recorded
The Van Schaik 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 Schaik 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 Schaik 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 Schaik Family in Netherlands
The surname Van Schaik is a topographical name that traces its roots to the landscape of the Netherlands. In Dutch, the prefix "van" indicates a person’s place of origin, while "Schaik" refers to a specific type of low-lying, marshy land or a settlement near a wooded area. While the name is associated with various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the northern province of Friesland by 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes, including the formal registration of surnames under the Napoleonic civil code. This transition required families to solidify their identities in official government ledgers, which helps explain why the name appears with such clarity in Frisian records from the early nineteenth century. The family likely moved through the Dutch provinces over several generations, adapting to the local dialects and regional customs that defined life in the Low Countries before settling into the northern territories.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la fasce, acc. en chef d'un cor-de-chasse et en p. de trois fleurs-de-lis, 2 et 1, le tout de gu.”
Belgiumc. 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 Schaik arms are recorded
The Van Schaik arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
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 Schaik 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 Belgium.
Origin & History of the Van Schaik Family in Belgium
The family name Van Schaik finds its roots in the historic region of Brabant, where records confirm the presence of family members by 1737. The name itself is topographical in nature, which means it was originally used to identify people based on the specific landscape where they lived. In the Dutch language, the term "schaik" refers to a boundary, a division of land, or a specific parcel of territory. During the eighteenth century, families often adopted these names to distinguish themselves from others in the same village or parish. By settling in the Brabant region, the early Van Schaik ancestors became part of a complex social fabric defined by agricultural traditions and local governance. As these individuals moved through the towns and rural areas of Belgium, their name served as a permanent link to the specific plots of land they occupied and the community borders they helped define.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schaik
A settlement or a small hamlet located near a water source.
This name
Van SchaikRefers to a person who originated from the village of Schaik in the Netherlands.
also spelled
Vanschaek
van Schack
Schaeck
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2023
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking, 1811–1942
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
