A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brecht family of Netherlands.
Reg. 4499 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
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'or; au chef de gu., ch. de trois los. du champ. C.: un chapeau pyramidal d'or, le retroussé aux armes du chef, cour. d'or et sommé d'un panache de plumes de coq de sa.”
NetherlandsNimègue, c. 1815
Where the Brecht Arms Were Recorded
Nimègue
Map of Netherlands showing where the Brecht arms are recorded
The Brecht arms were recorded in Nimègue, 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
Nimègue
Town
Nimègue
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Brecht 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 Brecht 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 Brecht Family in Netherlands
The surname Brecht is deeply rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, likely originating as a shortened form of names containing the element "berht," which translates to bright, famous, or shining. By the early 19th century, members of the family were established in the city of Nimègue, which is known today as Nijmegen in the Netherlands. During this period, the region was a strategic crossroads for trade and military movement following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Families living in this area often navigated a complex cultural landscape where German and Dutch influences blended together. The presence of the Brecht name in Nimègue in 1815 suggests that the family was part of the local urban population during a time of significant political transition in Europe. Records from this era reflect a period when surnames were becoming more firmly fixed in official government registries, helping to preserve the identity of the family as they settled into the daily life of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
A Germanic element meaning bright, famous, or shining.
This name
BrechtA shortened form of names like Bertold or Lambert, signifying one who is bright or illustrious.
also spelled
Brekt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gelders Archief, Burgerlijke Stand Nijmegen (Civil Registry of Nijmegen)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
