A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borre family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9260 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à la bande d'arg., acc. de six fleurs-de-lis du même, rangées en orle (Borre); au 2 d'or au saut. échancré de sa. (Lockhorst) [V. Bor.]”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Borre Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Borre arms are recorded
The Borre 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 Borre 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 Borre 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 Borre Family in Netherlands
The family name Borre has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, the name was firmly established in this area, appearing in official civil records around 1815. The name itself is thought to be a patronymic or a descriptive nickname, likely derived from old Germanic roots that suggest a connection to a person’s character or a specific geographic landmark. During this period, the people of Friesland maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, and families like the Borres were often involved in the agricultural and maritime trades that defined the local economy. As the Netherlands moved toward a more centralized system of record-keeping during the Napoleonic era, the Borre family became part of the formal documentation of Dutch citizens, marking their transition into the modern administrative history of the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur; au chef palé d'or et de gu.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Borre Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Borre arms are recorded
The Borre arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the Borre arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the Borre Family in France
The family name Borre has deep roots in the northern regions of France, particularly within the historical territory of Flanders. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was a vibrant center for trade and agriculture during the seventeenth century. The name itself is often linked to the Old French and Germanic linguistic traditions of the region, where it functioned as a descriptive term for people living near specific landmarks or those known for particular personal traits. As the family navigated the complex political landscape of the French-Flemish border, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their communities through commerce and land management. This early presence in Flanders highlights the family’s long-standing connection to a region defined by its unique cultural blend of French and Dutch influences.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boro
A Germanic term referring to a spear or a sharp point.
This name
BorreA habitational or occupational name likely denoting a spearman or someone living near a fortification.
also spelled
Bor
Bore
Related arms
Borsimilar arms
Borevariant spelling
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
Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Meertens Instituut), Nederlandse Familienamenbank
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
