A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Craanen family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1090 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois grues (oiseaux) au nat., dont deux passés en saut., br. sur la troisième qui est posée en pal.”
NetherlandsLeyde, c. 1815
Where the Craanen Arms Were Recorded
Leyde
Map of Netherlands showing where the Craanen arms are recorded
The Craanen arms were recorded in Leyde, c. 1815.
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
Leyde
Town
Leyde
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Craanen 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 Craanen 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 Craanen Family in Netherlands
The surname Craanen finds its roots in the Low Countries, where it emerged as a distinct family name during the centuries preceding the nineteenth century. By the year 1815, historical records confirm that members of the Craanen family were well-established residents of the city of Leiden. During this era, Leiden was a significant center for textile manufacturing and academic life, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle Dutch word for a crane, which was a common bird in the marshy landscapes of the region. Families often adopted such names based on local wildlife or specific physical characteristics, and the Craanen name likely became a permanent identifier as civil registration laws began to formalize family identities across the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kraan
A crane or a mechanical lifting device.
This name
CraanenRefers to a person who operated a crane or lived near a landmark crane.
also spelled
Craane
Craan
Kranen
Cranen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken, Burgerlijke Stand van Leiden (1811–1940)
Beider, Alexander, A Dictionary of Dutch Surnames, 2014
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
