A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Buis family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0447 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à un navire dit buis (en hollandais), voguant sur une mer, le tout au nat., la proue portant le pavillon hollandais tiercé en fasce de gu., d'arg. et d'azur.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Buis Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Buis arms are recorded
The Buis 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 Buis 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 Buis 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 Buis Family in Netherlands
The family name Buis has deep roots in the Netherlands, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established residents of Amsterdam by 1815. The name itself is likely derived from the Dutch word for the boxwood shrub or a type of fishing vessel known as a herring buss. During the early nineteenth century, Amsterdam was a bustling center of trade and recovery following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Families living in the city at this time often identified themselves through their specific trades or the neighborhoods they inhabited. As the Buis family navigated life in this growing urban environment, they became part of the city’s rich social fabric during a period of significant national transition. Their presence in the capital suggests they were likely involved in the maritime or mercantile industries that defined the Dutch economy during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buxus
Latin term for the boxwood evergreen shrub or tree.
This name
BuisA topographic name for someone who lived near a boxwood tree or a boxwood hedge.
also spelled
Buys
Related arms
Buysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Van der Aa, A.J., Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1852
Nederlands Instituut 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.
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
