A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ambrosius family of Netherlands.
Reg. 7916 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
otterOne who lives life to the full
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin. à une loutre couchée sur un terrasse, tenant entre ses dents un poisson, le tout au nat.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Ambrosius Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Ambrosius arms are recorded
The Ambrosius 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 Ambrosius 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 Ambrosius 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 Ambrosius Family in Netherlands
The name Ambrosius originates from the ancient Greek word ambrosios, which translates to immortal or divine. It became a popular given name throughout Europe during the Middle Ages because of Saint Ambrose, a famous bishop who lived in the fourth century. Over time, families began to adopt this name as a hereditary surname to honor their heritage or religious devotion. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the northern region of Friesland. Records from 1815 show that family members were living in this area during a period of significant political change as the Netherlands transitioned into a new kingdom. Living in Friesland meant that these ancestors were part of a distinct cultural group with their own language and traditions, which likely shaped the daily lives and social standing of the family during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ambrosios
Derived from the Greek word for immortal or divine.
This name
AmbrosiusRefers to someone who is considered immortal or godlike in nature.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nederlands Repertorium van Familienamen, Meertens Instituut, 1963
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry) of Friesland, 1815
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
otterOne who lives life to the full
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
otterOne who lives life to the full
