A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Croes family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9323 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois coupes mal-ordonnées d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Croes Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Croes arms are recorded
The Croes 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 Croes 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 Croes 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 Croes Family in Netherlands
The surname Croes has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of Frisian society. The name itself is thought to be a descriptive nickname derived from the Middle Dutch word "croes," which historically referred to someone with curly hair. During this period, many families in the Netherlands were required to formalize their surnames for government census and tax records, which explains why the name appears clearly in official documents around 1815. These early ancestors were likely part of the agrarian or merchant classes who helped shape the local culture of the Frisian countryside. As the family grew, they maintained their presence in the region, contributing to the unique linguistic and social history that defines this part of the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
Latin term for a cross or a wooden post.
This name
CroesAn occupational name for a person who lived near a cross or carried a cross.
also spelled
Kroes
Krus
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811-1825)
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
