Map of Netherlands showing where the Wolters arms are recorded
The Wolters arms were recorded in Utrecht, c. 1815.
Utrecht was an old church town with rich farming country around it. Both the church and the land produced families of standing, and families of standing kept arms to seal their documents with.
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
Utrecht
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Wolters 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 Wolters 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 Utrecht.
Origin & History of the Wolters Family in Netherlands
The surname Wolters is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Walter. In the Dutch language, the name Walter evolved into Wolter, and adding an "s" at the end served as a way to say "son of Wolter." By the time records place the family in Utrecht in 1815, the name had already been established for generations as a common way to track family lineage across the Netherlands. During this period, the city of Utrecht was a major hub for trade and administration, making it a likely place for families to settle and formalize their surnames in official civil registries. Because the name was based on a popular personal name rather than a specific location or occupation, it appeared independently in various regions throughout the country. This led to many different families carrying the name Wolters who were not necessarily related by blood but shared a common linguistic root.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
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 roses de gu., percées d'arg., barbées de sin.; au chef tiercé en pal de sa., d'or et de gu. Cq. cour. C.: une rose de l'écu. L. d'or et de gu.”
BelgiumGand, 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 Wolters arms are recorded
The Wolters arms were recorded in Gand, 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 Wolters 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 Wolters Family in Belgium
The family name Wolters finds its roots in the Germanic naming tradition, originating as a patronymic derived from the personal name Walter, which translates to a ruler of an army. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Ghent, known as Gand in French, which served as a major center for trade and textile production in the Austrian Netherlands. Records confirm that members of the Wolters family were active in this urban environment by 1737, participating in the social and economic life of a city defined by its complex guild systems and historical independence. During this era, families with this surname often integrated into the local merchant class, taking advantage of the city's status as a hub for international commerce. This period of residency in Ghent highlights the family's transition from rural origins to becoming part of the structured, bureaucratic society of 18th-century Flanders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walter
Derived from Germanic elements meaning army and ruler or power.
This name
WoltersA patronymic surname signifying son of the powerful army commander.
also spelled
Wolterz
Walters
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen in Nederland, 1950
Van Berkel, G. and Samplonius, K., Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Het Utrechts Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van de gemeente Utrecht, 1811–1902
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
axeThe execution of military duty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
axeThe execution of military duty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
