Map of Netherlands showing where the Walraven arms are recorded
The Walraven 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 Walraven 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 Walraven 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 Walraven Family in Netherlands
The name Walraven is rooted in the Germanic languages and carries a meaning related to a ruler or a guardian of the battlefield. It originated as a given name during the Middle Ages, eventually evolving into a hereditary surname as families became more established across the Low Countries. By the early nineteenth century, the family had a documented presence in Amsterdam, a city that served as a major hub for trade and social mobility during the Napoleonic era. Records from 1815 show that members of the Walraven family were integrated into the urban life of the city, participating in the local economy and community structures that defined Amsterdam after the fall of the French Empire. This period marked a time of transition for many families as they navigated new civil registration laws and the changing political landscape of the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walah-hraban
Foreigner or stranger combined with the word for raven.
This name
WalravenA Germanic name signifying a foreign raven, often associated with wisdom or battle omens.
also spelled
Walrave
Walravens
Related arms
Walravevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen in Nederland, 1956
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.
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