A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bicker family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0391 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à la fasce de gu. (van den Anxter); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à trois timons de gouvernail de sa., posés en fasces, l'un sur l'autre (Helmers). C.: celui de van den Anxter qui est un homme iss., hab. de gu. à brandebourgs d'or, coiffé d'un chapeau pyramidal de gu., tenant de chaque main un flambeau allumé d'or. L. d'or et de gu.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Bicker Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bicker arms are recorded
The Bicker 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 Bicker 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 Bicker 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 Bicker Family in Netherlands
The Bicker family name has deep roots in the Netherlands, where its members were prominent figures in the social and political life of Amsterdam for centuries. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established within the city’s merchant and administrative circles. The name itself is thought to be occupational or descriptive in origin, likely derived from Middle Dutch terms related to trade or specific personal traits. During the period around 1815, when the Netherlands was transitioning into a new kingdom, the Bicker family held significant influence as part of the urban elite. They were deeply involved in the governance of Amsterdam, often serving in municipal roles that helped shape the city during a time of great national change. Their history is closely tied to the development of Amsterdam as a global center for commerce and politics, reflecting the broader evolution of Dutch society during the Napoleonic era and the subsequent restoration of the monarchy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bicker
Derived from the Middle Dutch word bicken meaning to strike or hack.
This name
BickerAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a stonecutter or a quarrelsome individual.
also spelled
Bycker
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Israel, Jonathan I., The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806, 1995
Prak, Maarten, Gouden Eeuw: Het raadsel van de Republiek, 2002
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Archieven van de familie Bicker en aanverwante families, 1550-1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
