^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Alkmaar (The Netherlands)

Noord-Holland province

Shipmate Flagchart : http://www.flagchart.net

Municipal flag
Alkmaar Coat of Arms
Former flag

Villages in Alkmaar municipality:

See also:

Municipal flag

The city of Alkmaar is c. 50 km north of Amsterdam, with c. 100.000 inhabitants on 3075 hectares. It is unknown when the settlement was founded, but it is said that it was already old when it received city-rights in 1254. Its fort with its impressive tower (which is depicted on Coat of Arms and flag) were used by the Hollanders in their fight against the Frisians of Westfriesland. In 1573 it was besieged by the Spaniards, who were ultimately repelled, hence the Dutch expression "In Alkmaar begint de victorie" - in Alkmaar begins victory.
At present it is a modern town with an interesting historic center, where tourists enjoy the "Kaasmarkt", with touristically authenticated cheese-carriers.
The flag was inaugurated on 27 Aug 1920; the colors are derived from the Coat of Arms.
Jarig Bakker, 19 June 2001

Alkmaar Coat of Arms

image from the municipal website.

The arms date from Medieval times, probably from the time the city rights were granted, in 1254. The motto is used since the 17th century and, together with the laurel wreath, refers to the liberation of Alkmaar from the Spanish troops in the late 16th century. The liberation was the turning point in the 80-years war of liberation of the Netherlands (1568-1648).
All seals of Alkmaar from the 13th to the 17th century show a castle. The motto was often used, but when the arms were granted in 1816 the motto accidentally was omitted.
Ralf Hartemink, 1 January 1997

Former flag

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

De Rijp village

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Graft and De Rijp are both beautiful villages with two beautiful 17th century municipal buildings.
At this webpage is the village flag of De Rijp, a blue field with two yellow herrings, each with a yellow crown. It's a banner of arms of the old municipal arms, referring to the old fishing tradition, including whaling. (more info in Dutch on Ralf Hartemink's site).
Jarig Bakker, 23 Aug 2002

De Rijp village was founded by Grafters, who wanted to profit from the then still open connection with the sea. De Rijp owned, after Enkhuizen, in the 17th century the most herring-houses in Noord-Holland. In c. 1654 whaling began; it was a De Rijper. who was the first harpooner, Marten Michielszoon. In this village was born Jan Leeghwater, one of the most famous Dutch polder-makers. He was a simple miller; from 1608-12 he had 26 mills built, to make the Beemster lake dry. From 1631-35 he used 51 mills to make the Schermer lake dry. In between he built the Council House of De Rijp in renaissance-style (a precious jewel!).
Jarig Bakker, 2 June 2003

De Rijp Coat of Arms

image from the Graft-De Rijp municipal website.

Granted 26 June 1816

Graft village

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021, after image from the Graft-De Rijp municipal website.

Here is the flag of Graft village. It is a banner of arms. In Koffie Hag "Nederlandsche Gemeentewapens", 1924, T van der Laars wrote:
"In blue on a loose base a cow in front of a tree, all or.
This Coat of Arms originated in the old village seal from the beginning of the 17th century. Graft was a former "Ämbachtsheerlijkheid" (manor) and the largest "banne" (judicial area) of the Schermereiland (island in the former Schermer lake), and was first mentioned in 1216. The first settlers of the Schermereiland were people from the "Geestkant" (Akersloot and Limmen), who were farmers and stock-breeders. Although they intended to stay there temporarily the conditions were so favorable that they stayed there."
Jarig Bakker, 2 June 2003

Graft Coat of Arms

image from the Graft-De Rijp municipal website.

Granted 26 June 1816

Grootschermer

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Two yellow sturgeon on a blue field.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grootschermer
Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Omval

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Flag of the Hamlet of Omval from its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BuurtschapOmval&set=a.311702058882181
Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Oterleek (concept flag)

The flag maker at https://www.mastenenvlaggen.nl/product/dorpsvlag-oterleek/ advertises a concept village flag for the North Holland village of Oterleek. This flag was designed by our the Mastenenvlaggen design studio in 2023 because Oterleek does not (yet) have its own flag. The design is based on the accompanying village coat of arms, which dates from 1817.

The concept flag is yellow and features three red arrow elements that point downwards. Ultimately, both flag and coat of arms are based on the family coat of arms of the Egmont family.
Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2023

Oudorp

image located by Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2023

From https://www.mastenenvlaggen.nl/product/dorpsvlag-oudorp:
The flag of Oudorp is the village flag of the North Holland village of Oudorp. It is not known since when this flag has been in use, but at least since 2020. The design is based on the associated village coat of arms, which dates from 1818. Previously, it was used by the former municipality of Oudorp. Nowadays Oudorp falls under the municipality of Alkmaar.

The Oudorp flag is white and features three red roses. The origin of these roses is unknown. An image of the Oudorp coat of arms with these roses already appeared in a manuscript in the 18th century.
Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2023

Schermerhorn

image located by Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

A mole on a green field.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schermerhorn
Valentin Poposki, 17 May 2021

Stompetoren

image located by Valentin Poposki, 3 December 2023
based on photo at https://www.dorpsraadstompetoren.nl

The Village Council of Stompetoren is using the flag of the former municipality of Schermer.