A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caan family of Netherlands.
Reg. 6285 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'arg. au tilleul de sin., terrassé du même; aux 2 et 3 d'or à une vanne de gu.; au 4 d'arg. au chien braque au nat., coll. d'or, pass. sur une terrasse de sin. Bri. de gu. et d'or. C.: le chien, iss. L. d'or et de gu. S.: deux aigles reg. de sa., bq. et m. d'or, languées de gu. D.: PRUDENTER, FIDELITER ET PERSEVERANTER.”
Netherlandsc. 1821
Where the Caan Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Caan arms are recorded
The Caan arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1821.
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
1821
Granting Authority for the Caan 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 Caan 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 Caan Family in Netherlands
The family name Caan has deep roots in the northern region of the Netherlands known as Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area. During this period, Friesland was a landscape defined by its unique Frisian language and a strong tradition of independent farming and maritime trade. Families like the Caans were often part of the local social fabric that helped shape the rural economy of the province. As the nineteenth century progressed, the name became associated with the steady growth and development of these northern communities. While the origins of the name itself may be linked to local nicknames or geographical markers, the family remained a consistent presence in the Frisian historical record starting in 1821.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caan
Derived from the Dutch word for a small boat or vessel.
This name
CaanA topographic or occupational name referring to a boatman or someone living near a canal.
also spelled
Can
Kaan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Centre), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (Population Registers of Friesland)
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration Records)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
