A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ampe family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9124 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De gu. à trois collines appointées d'arg., posées en pairle, ch. chacune d'une mouch. d'herm. de sa. lesdites mouchetures posées dans le sens des collines, la moucheture sur la colline en p. renversée.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Ampe Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Ampe arms are recorded
The Ampe 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 Ampe 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 Ampe 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 Ampe Family in Netherlands
The family name Ampe has deep roots in the northern coastal regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the Ampe family were established residents of this area. The name likely originated as a patronymic or a descriptive nickname, which was a common way for families to identify themselves before the widespread use of formal surnames. During the period around 1815, Friesland was undergoing significant social changes as it transitioned from the Napoleonic era into the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands. Families like the Ampes were part of a resilient agricultural and maritime society that valued local traditions and community ties. As the government began to standardize civil registrations during this time, the name became permanently fixed in official records, helping to preserve the family’s history for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ampo
A Germanic root word meaning immortal or eternal.
This name
AmpeA patronymic or descriptive surname derived from the ancient Germanic name Ampo, signifying one who is immortal.
also spelled
Ampee
Amp
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811-1950
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Winkler, Johan, De Nederlandse geslachtsnamen in oorsprong, geschiedenis en beteekenis, 1885
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
ermineDignity and rank
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ermineDignity and rank
