A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wolthers family of Netherlands.
Reg. 8962 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un agneau pascal pass. d'arg. C.: un vol coupé alt. d'azur et d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Wolthers Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Wolthers arms are recorded
The Wolthers 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 Wolthers 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 Wolthers 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 Wolthers Family in Netherlands
The surname Wolthers is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding a suffix to the given name of a father. In this case, the name stems from the Germanic name Walter, which combines the words for power and army. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established in the northern Dutch province of Friesland. During this period, the Napoleonic administration required all citizens to register a permanent family name for official records. Because the family had been using the name Wolthers for generations, they formally adopted it to comply with these new civil requirements. This transition helped solidify the family identity within the Frisian community, where they lived as part of a region known for its unique language and strong maritime traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walter
Derived from Germanic elements meaning army and ruler.
This name
WolthersA patronymic surname signifying son of the powerful army commander.
also spelled
Woltherz
Walters
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1957
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registration of Friesland), 1811–1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lambGentleness, patience and faith
lambGentleness, patience and faith
