A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Christiani family of Netherlands.
Reg. 6179 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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)
“Bandé d'arg. et de gu.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Christiani Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Christiani arms are recorded
The Christiani 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 Christiani 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 Christiani 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 Christiani Family in Netherlands
The surname Christiani is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It stems from the Latin name Christianus, meaning a follower of Christ. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established in the region of Friesland. During this period, Friesland was experiencing significant social and administrative changes following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Families in this area often used Latinized versions of their names to reflect their status or professional background. The presence of the Christiani name in 1815 suggests that the family was part of the local community during the transition into the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands. They likely lived as farmers, tradespeople, or local officials who were deeply integrated into the unique Frisian culture and language of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Christus
The anointed one or the chosen one in Ancient Greek.
This name
ChristianiA patronymic or descriptive term referring to a follower of Christ.
also spelled
Christiany
Kristiani
Christian
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1950
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen: hun oorsprong en verspreiding, 1982
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand 1811-1842
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
