A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bekkering family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4394 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à l'arbre de sin., terrassé du même, br. sur une hache d'azur, et accosté de deux chicots au nat., soutenus de la terrasse. C.: un bras de carn., tenant une hache d'azur.”
FrieslandFriesland, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Bekkering arms are recorded
The Bekkering arms were recorded in Friesland, c. 1815.
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 Bekkering 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 Bekkering 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 Friesland.
Origin & History of the Bekkering Family in Netherlands
The family name Bekkering finds its roots in the northern provinces of the Netherlands, particularly within the region of Friesland. During the early 19th century, the name became officially documented as the Dutch government implemented mandatory surname registration under the Napoleonic civil code. The name itself is topographical in nature, likely derived from the Middle Dutch word "bekke," which refers to a small stream or brook. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who lived near a specific waterway in the Frisian landscape. By 1815, families bearing this name were well-established in the rural districts, where they contributed to the local agricultural economy. These early generations were deeply connected to the land and the unique linguistic traditions of the Frisian people, helping to anchor the family identity within the specific geography of the northern Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Chequy ar. and gu. a bend sa”
NottinghamTuxford · Nottingham, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Bekkering arms are recorded
The Bekkering arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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 Bekkering 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Bekkering Family in England
The Bekkering family name carries a distinct history that traces back to the early seventeenth century in Nottingham, England. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this region by 1620, a time when Nottingham was a growing center for trade and local industry. The name itself is rooted in Germanic and Dutch linguistic traditions, suggesting that the family likely arrived in England as part of the movement of skilled workers or merchants crossing the North Sea. During this period, many families with similar origins settled in the English Midlands to participate in the burgeoning textile and manufacturing sectors. By living in Nottingham, the early Bekkerings became part of a diverse community that helped shape the local economy and social fabric of the city. Their presence in the historical record during this era highlights the long-standing connection between continental European families and the development of English urban life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bekker
A person who bakes bread or a baker.
This name
BekkeringA patronymic or locative surname referring to the descendants or place of a baker.
also spelled
Bekering
Becering
Beceringe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1957
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand - Geboorte, Huwelijk en Overlijden (1811-1950)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
