A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aker family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2157 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au gland d'or, la coque de sin., tigé et feuillé du même, la queue en bas, acc. en chef d'une étoile du sec. et accosté de deux étoiles pareilles.”
NetherlandsHarlem, c. 1815
Where the Aker Arms Were Recorded
Harlem
Map of Netherlands showing where the Aker arms are recorded
The Aker arms were recorded in Harlem, 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
Harlem
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Aker 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 Aker 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 Aker Family in Netherlands
The surname Aker has deep roots in the Netherlands, where it often functioned as a topographic name for families living near an acre or a field. By the early 19th century, the name was well-established in the city of Haarlem, a major center for trade and industry. Records from 1815 confirm that members of the Aker family were active participants in the social and economic life of this historic city during a time of significant national transition. As the Netherlands moved toward modernization following the Napoleonic era, these early residents likely worked in the local textile or agricultural sectors that defined the Haarlem economy. The presence of the family in such a prominent urban hub suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the local growth of the region during the early years of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. three fusils in fesse or, betw. as many escallops ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Aker Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Aker arms are recorded
The Aker 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 Aker 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 Aker Family in England
The surname Aker has deep roots in the northern English landscape, particularly within the historic city of York. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were already established members of the local community, living in a region defined by its medieval architecture and long-standing trade traditions. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old English word for an acre or a field. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the Aker family were likely farmers or landowners who identified themselves by the specific plots of land they cultivated. As the family settled in York by 1620, they became part of a vibrant urban center that served as a hub for commerce and religious life in Northern England. Their presence in such a prominent city indicates that the family was well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the time, contributing to the growth and development of the region during a period of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Acker
A Germanic term referring to a cultivated field or agricultural land.
This name
AkerA topographic surname for someone who lived near or worked on a field.
also spelled
Akers
Akerre
Related arms
Achervariant spelling
van den Ackervariant spelling
van den Ackerevariant spelling
Acrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Noord-Hollands Archief, Bevolkingsregister van Haarlem, 1815
Van der Aa, A. J., Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1852
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2023
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
