Map of Netherlands showing where the Water arms are recorded
The Water arms were recorded in Guelders, c. 1815.
Guelders was river country in the east of the Netherlands, held by families whose estates sat along the water. Land there stayed in the same hands for generations, and long tenure is what fills a register of 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
Guelders
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Water 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 Water 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 Guelders.
Origin & History of the Water Family in Netherlands
The family name Water is a topographic surname, which means it was originally given to people based on the landscape where they lived. In the Netherlands, such names often identified individuals who resided near a specific river, stream, or body of water. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the Water family were established in the province of Guelders. This region, located in the eastern part of the country, is defined by its proximity to major waterways like the Rhine and the Waal. Families living in this area often adopted names related to the local geography to distinguish themselves from others in their community. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Guelders, contributing to the agricultural and regional development that characterized the area during the post-Napoleonic era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three saltires gu”
Englandc. 1620
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 England showing where the Water arms are recorded
The Water arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Water arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Water Family in England
The surname Water is a topographic name that originated in medieval England to describe people who lived near a body of water, such as a stream, river, or well. During the Middle Ages, many families adopted names based on their immediate surroundings to distinguish themselves within their local communities. By the early 17th century, the name had become well-established in the northern regions of the country. Records confirm that members of the Water family were living in York by 1620, a time when the city served as a vital hub for trade and administration in Northern England. These early ancestors were likely part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of York during the reign of King James I. Their presence in such a historic city suggests that the family was integrated into the local life of the region long before the era of mass migration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Water
A Germanic term referring to a body of liquid or stream.
This name
WaterA topographic name for someone who lived near a body of water or a river.
also spelled
Watter
Watre
Watar
Watters
Related arms
de Colenaersimilar arms
Wattervariant spelling
Wattersvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gelders Archief, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) of Guelders, 1815
Nationaal Archief, Bevolkingsregisters (Population Registers) of the Netherlands
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1963
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen en familienamen, 1988
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
