A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the But family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9818 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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, d'un parti d'arg. à l'arbre de sin. et d'or au lion de sa., sur un fascé-ondé d'azur et d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the But Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the But arms are recorded
The But 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 But 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 But 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 But Family in Netherlands
The surname But is deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of Friesland, a province in the northern Netherlands known for its unique culture and language. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region. The name itself is likely a topographic or occupational descriptor, as the word "but" in various Germanic dialects historically referred to a blunt object, a specific type of flatfish, or even a boundary marker in the landscape. Because Friesland was a region defined by its complex relationship with the sea and reclaimed land, it is probable that the name originated from a nickname related to a person’s trade or a distinct physical feature. As the family grew throughout the 1800s, they became part of the resilient Frisian community, contributing to the agricultural and maritime traditions that defined the local economy during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bode
A messenger or herald in Middle Dutch.
This name
ButOriginally a topographic name for someone living near a small dwelling or a messenger.
also spelled
Beut
Beud
But
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 (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
Dijkstra, W., Friesch Woordenboek, 1900
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen, 1988
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
