A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the van Veen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9786 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à trois étoiles d'arg.; au 2 d'or à un oiseau volant de sa.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the van Veen Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the van Veen arms are recorded
The van Veen arms were recorded in Amsterdam, 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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the van Veen 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 Veen 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 Veen Family in Netherlands
The surname van Veen is a classic example of a Dutch locative name, which means it describes the place where a person originally lived. In the Dutch language, the word "veen" refers to a peat bog or a marshy area. During the Middle Ages, as people began to adopt permanent surnames, those who lived near these specific wetlands were often identified by their surroundings. By the time the family was firmly established in Amsterdam in 1815, the name had already been in use for generations across the Netherlands. Families with this name were typically part of the growing urban middle class, often working as merchants or skilled tradespeople who helped build the city’s reputation for global commerce. Because the landscape of the Netherlands is defined by its relationship with water and soil, the name serves as a historical marker of the family's deep connection to the Dutch countryside and their eventual migration into the bustling heart of Amsterdam.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à trois léopards de gu., l'un sur l'autre. C.: un lion assis de gu., la tête posée de face.”
BelgiumBruxelles, c. 1737
Where the van Veen Arms Were Recorded
Bruxelles
Map of Belgium showing where the van Veen arms are recorded
The van Veen arms were recorded in Bruxelles, c. 1737.
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 Veen 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 Veen Family in Belgium
The surname van Veen is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe the landscape where a person lived. In Dutch, the word "veen" refers to a peat bog or a marshy area. Families who took this name likely lived near these wetlands, which were common features of the Low Countries. By the time members of the family were documented in Brussels in 1737, the name had already been established for generations as a way to identify people by their local geography. During the eighteenth century, Brussels was a bustling center of trade and administration under the Austrian Netherlands. Families like the van Veens were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s social and economic life during this period. As they settled into the capital, they became part of the long history of families who moved from the rural countryside into the heart of the city to pursue new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Veen
A low-lying area of wet, peaty, or marshy land.
This name
van VeenRefers to a person who lived near or originated from a peat bog or marshland.
also spelled
Vanven
Related arms
Houtkampsame arms
van den Busschesame arms
van der Stegensame arms
Westdorp (van) - Zélsame arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1963
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
lionCourage, strength and royalty
