A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adama family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0185 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur au pélican avec ses petits dans son aire, le tout d'or.”
NetherlandsSneek Frise, c. 1815
Where the Adama Arms Were Recorded
Sneek
Map of Netherlands showing where the Adama arms are recorded
The Adama arms were recorded in Sneek Frise, 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
Sneek
Town
Sneek Frise
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Adama 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 Adama 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 Adama Family in Netherlands
The history of the Adama family in the Netherlands is deeply rooted in the province of Friesland, where records confirm their presence in the town of Sneek by 1815. The name Adama is a patronymic, which means it was originally derived from the given name Adam, likely indicating that a prominent ancestor in the region was known as the son of Adam. During the early nineteenth century, the family became well-established within the local community of Sneek, a town known for its historical importance in trade and regional administration. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic life of the Frisian landscape, often appearing in civil registries that tracked births, marriages, and deaths during the period of the Napoleonic administration and the subsequent formation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Their presence in Sneek reflects the broader movement of families who solidified their surnames during this era as the Dutch government began to standardize civil records for all citizens.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur, au fr.-q. d'or ch. d'un lion de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à six bes. d'or, 3 et 3, et au chef du même.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Adama Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Adama arms are recorded
The Adama arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Adama 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 Adama Family in Belgium
The history of the Adama family in Belgium is rooted in the fertile lands of the Brabant region, where records confirm their presence as early as 1737. During this period, the name was closely tied to the agrarian culture of the Low Countries, reflecting a lineage that was deeply integrated into the local community and economy. Families like the Adama clan often served as the backbone of rural society, managing land and participating in the regional trade networks that defined the eighteenth-century Belgian landscape. By settling in Brabant, the early members of this family established a lasting connection to a territory known for its complex legal and social structures. Their survival and growth within these provinces suggest a family that was well-adapted to the challenges of the time, moving through generations while maintaining a consistent foothold in the heart of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Hebrew term meaning man or of the earth
This name
AdamaA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Adam
also spelled
Adame
Related arms
Bockamarecorded with Adama, same area
Sollegarecorded with Adama, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand Sneek, Geboorte-, huwelijks- en overlijdensakten
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Bevolkingsregisters van Sneek
Dijkstra, B., Geschiedenis van de stad Sneek, 1954
Twerda, H., Fan Fryslâns forline, 1968
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
