A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barkey family of Netherlands.
Reg. 4594 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or au chev. de gu., acc. de trois pattes d'ours d'arg. C.: une patte d'ours d'arg., entre deux pl. d'aut.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Barkey Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Barkey arms are recorded
The Barkey 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 Barkey 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 Barkey 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 Barkey Family in Netherlands
The family name Barkey has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living through a time of significant political change as the Netherlands transitioned into a unified kingdom. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic or Frisian naming traditions, which often focused on a person’s occupation, a specific physical trait, or their connection to a particular plot of land. Because Friesland has a unique linguistic and cultural history distinct from the rest of the country, the Barkey family would have navigated a society that placed a high value on local identity and community ties. As the 1800s progressed, these early family members were part of a resilient population that balanced traditional agricultural life with the growing influence of modern Dutch administration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berch
A mountain, hill, or elevated piece of land.
This name
BarkeyDerived from a topographic location near a hill or a dweller on a mountain.
also spelled
Barkie
Barkee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811-1900)
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
