A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Backer family of Netherlands.
Reg. 5197 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois bandes de gu.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Backer Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Backer arms are recorded
The Backer arms were recorded in Amsterdam, 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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Backer 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 Backer 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 Backer Family in Netherlands
The surname Backer is an occupational name that originates from the Middle Dutch word *bakker*, which simply means a baker. In the centuries before standardized spelling, families often adopted names based on their trade to distinguish themselves within growing urban centers. By the early 19th century, the name was well-established among the industrious middle class of Amsterdam. Records from 1815 confirm that members of the Backer family were active participants in the city’s social and economic life during a time of significant political transition as the Netherlands emerged as a sovereign kingdom. These early ancestors likely contributed to the bustling trade and artisanal culture that defined Amsterdam during the post-Napoleonic era, helping to cement the family name within the historical fabric of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bakken
To bake or to heat in an oven.
This name
BackerAn occupational surname for a person who bakes bread or operates an oven.
also spelled
Bakker
Bacher
Baker
Related arms
Capellinisimilar arms
Schmid de Schmidfeldsimilar arms
Bachervariant spelling
Baker de Sisinghurstvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
