A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cost family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5909 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à une force d'or, posée en pal, les bouts en haut; au 2 d'or à un lièvre au nat., courant sur une terrasse de sin.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Cost Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Cost arms are recorded
The Cost 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 Cost 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 Cost 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 Cost Family in Netherlands
The surname Cost has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that family members were firmly established in this area, living as part of the traditional Frisian society. The name itself is thought to be a shortened form of names like Constantijn or perhaps a descriptive nickname related to a person’s character or their role in local trade. During the period around 1815, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their surnames due to new government requirements for civil records. Families like the Costs were part of this transition, moving from older naming traditions to the fixed, hereditary surnames that are still used today. Their presence in Friesland suggests they were likely involved in the agricultural or maritime industries that defined the Frisian economy during that era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a cross betw. four annulets sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cost Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cost arms are recorded
The Cost 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 Cost 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 Cost Family in England
The surname Cost is a rare and distinct name that first appears in English historical records during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, members of the family were firmly established in the city of York, a major northern hub known for its rich trade and religious history. During this period, the name likely functioned as a descriptive occupational or locational identifier, as was common for families living in bustling urban centers. Because York served as a central point for commerce and administration in Northern England, families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that supported the city’s growth. While the name remains relatively uncommon, its presence in York during the reign of King James I suggests that the family was part of the stable middle class that helped sustain the city’s economy during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
costa
Latin term meaning rib, side, or coast.
This name
CostRefers to a person living near a riverbank, slope, or coastal region.
also spelled
Coste
Koste
Costee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2023
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, 1811–1950
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen, 1998
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
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
