A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cruise family of Netherlands.
Reg. 7271 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 un membre d'aigle d'or, la griffe en bas. C.: le meuble de l'écn, entre un vol d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Cruise Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Cruise arms are recorded
The Cruise 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 Cruise 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 Cruise 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 Cruise Family in Netherlands
The family name Cruise carries a history deeply rooted in the coastal landscapes of Northern Europe. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Friesland, a region known for its unique culture and long history of maritime trade. The name itself is often linked to the Middle Dutch word "kruis," which means cross. In the medieval period, this term was frequently used as a nickname for someone who lived near a roadside cross or perhaps for a person who had returned from a pilgrimage. As families moved across the North Sea and settled in new lands, the spelling of the name evolved to reflect the local languages of their new homes. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal surname highlights the way early families identified themselves through their surroundings and their personal journeys.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
A Latin term referring to a cross or a crossroads.
This name
CruiseA topographical name for someone who lived near a cross or a crossroads.
also spelled
Cruse
Kruise
Crooz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar: Bevolkingsregister van Friesland (1811–1850)
Van der Schaar, J.: Woordenboek van voornamen (1964)
Meertens, P.J.: De Nederlandse familienamen: ontstaan en betekenis (1947)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
legStrength and swiftness
legStrength and swiftness
