Map of Netherlands showing where the Cline arms are recorded
The Cline arms were recorded in Leerdam Holl, 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
Town
Leerdam Holl
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Cline 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 Cline 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 Cline Family in Netherlands
The family name Cline, often appearing as Klein or Klijn in its original European context, has deep roots tied to the linguistic traditions of the Low Countries and Germanic regions. By 1815, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Friesland, a coastal area known for its distinct cultural identity and maritime history. The name itself is descriptive, historically serving as a nickname to distinguish a younger family member or a person of smaller stature from others in a village. As families moved through the changing political landscapes of the nineteenth century, the spelling often shifted to better suit the phonetic patterns of new regions. This transition reflects the broader movement of people across Northern Europe during a time of significant social and administrative reform.
Cline Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Klein
A Germanic adjective meaning small or little.
This name
ClineA descriptive nickname for a person of short stature or the younger of two people.
also spelled
Kleyn
Clein
Klijn
Klin
Cline
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregister van Friesland 1811-1850
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen: oorsprong en verspreiding, 1998
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
