A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Byes family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3557 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à deux fasces de sa.; au chef du même, ch. de trois merlettes d'or (Arm. v. G.)”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Byes Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Byes arms are recorded
The Byes 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 Byes 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 Byes 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 Byes Family in Netherlands
The family name Byes has deep roots in the northern province of Friesland, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant social changes, including the introduction of the Napoleonic civil registry. Before this time, many families in rural Friesland used patronymics, which meant a person’s last name was based on their father’s first name rather than a fixed family surname. The adoption of the name Byes suggests that the family likely settled into a permanent identity during this era of administrative reform. The name itself likely evolved from local Frisian dialects or descriptive nicknames used to identify individuals within their tight-knit village communities. By anchoring their identity to this specific name, the early Byes family members became part of the formal historical record as the modern Dutch state began to standardize how citizens were identified and tracked.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a falcon volant or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Byes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Byes arms are recorded
The Byes 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 Byes 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 Byes Family in England
The family name Byes is deeply rooted in the northern landscape of England, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling regional economy. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a specific enclosure or a secondary settlement known as a "by." As the family established their lives in the shadow of the great York Minster, they became part of the social fabric of a city defined by its medieval layout and long history of craftsmanship. By settling in such a prominent urban center, the early members of the Byes family were positioned to participate in the local guilds and civic life that shaped seventeenth-century English society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, per saltier ar. and az. in pale two roses slipped gu. and in fess as many fleurs-de-lis or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Byes Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Byes arms are recorded
The Byes arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Netherlands when the Byes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Byes Family in Ireland
The history of the Byes family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social landscape of seventeenth-century Dublin. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents of the city by 1645, a time when Dublin was undergoing significant political and demographic shifts. During this period, the city served as a primary hub for trade and administration, attracting families who often worked in skilled crafts or merchant roles to support the growing urban economy. The presence of the Byes name in these early records suggests that the family was part of the settled population navigating the complexities of life in a fortified capital. As the family integrated into the local community, they contributed to the evolving identity of Dublin, leaving behind a footprint that reflects the broader movement of people into the city during the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bie
A Dutch word referring to a bee or a beehive.
This name
ByesA topographic or occupational name for someone who kept bees or lived near hives.
also spelled
Byese
Byess
By
Byas
Bies
Related arms
Byassvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) Friesland, 1811–1950
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand, 1811–1842
Dijkstra, B., Friese familienamen: Een onderzoek naar hun oorsprong en verspreiding, 1982
Huizinga, A., Encyclopedie van namen, 1955
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
