A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bors family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1397 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à un sanglier de sa.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Bors Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bors arms are recorded
The Bors 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 Bors 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 Bors 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 Bors Family in Netherlands
The family name Bors has roots that trace back to the bustling urban environment of the Netherlands, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Amsterdam by 1815. During this period, the city was transitioning into a new era of stability following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Families like the Bors clan were often part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped rebuild the Dutch economy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a shortened version of a longer occupational title common in Northern Europe. As the family settled into the social fabric of Amsterdam, they contributed to the city's identity as a center for trade and craftsmanship. By studying these early records, we can see how the family integrated into the local community during a time of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Barry of six, or and sa. an inescutcheon erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bors Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bors arms are recorded
The Bors arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Bors 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 England.
Origin & History of the Bors Family in England
The history of the Bors family in England is rooted in the vibrant social landscape of the seventeenth century, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this northern hub, which served as a major center for trade and administration. During this era, York was a city defined by its medieval layout and its role as a gateway to the north, making it a place where families often built lives around local guilds, parish communities, and regional commerce. While the name itself carries echoes of older linguistic traditions, its presence in York suggests that the family was part of the steady growth of the English middle class during the reign of King James I. These early Bors ancestors lived through a time of significant religious and political change, likely participating in the daily rhythms of a city that was transitioning from its ancient roots into the modern age. Their documented presence in 1620 provides a clear anchor point for understanding how the family integrated into the fabric of English society long before the industrial shifts of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Borse
A Middle Dutch term referring to a purse or a small bag.
This name
BorsAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of purses and pouches.
also spelled
Borse
Borss
Borsse
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Nederland's Patriciaat (1910)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
