A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Custis family of Netherlands.
Reg. 8340 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. au chef de gu., à une aigle d'arg., br. sur le tout, tenant en son bec une branche de laurier de sin., br. en pal sur l'aigle (Custis); aux 2 et 3 d'azur au chev. d'arg., acc. en p. d'une demi-fleur-de-lis d'or, défaillante à dextre (Mayne). Brl. d'arg. et de sa. C.: un arbre de sin. L. mêlés d'or, de sa., d'arg., d'azur, de gu. et de sin.”
NetherlandsBois-le, c. 1815
Where the Custis Arms Were Recorded
Bois-le
Map of Netherlands showing where the Custis arms are recorded
The Custis arms were recorded in Bois-le, 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
Bois-le
Town
Bois-le
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Custis 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 Custis 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 Custis Family in Netherlands
The Custis family name has deep roots that trace back to the Low Countries, specifically within the region of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Bois-le-Duc, also known as 's-Hertogenbosch, by the early nineteenth century. During this period, the family was part of the local social and professional fabric of the city. As the nineteenth century progressed, some members of the family migrated to the Americas, where the name became prominent in the colonial history of Virginia. The transition from their European origins to their new life in the colonies highlights the broader patterns of migration that defined many families during that era. By studying these early movements, historians can better understand how the Custis name moved from a specific European town to become a significant part of early American history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Custos
Latin term meaning a guard, watchman, or keeper.
This name
CustisAn occupational surname referring to a person who served as a guardian or caretaker.
also spelled
Kustis
Related arms
Brinekerhoffrecorded with Custis, same area
Linklaenrecorded with Custis, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Regionaal Historisch Centrum Eindhoven, Doop-, trouw- en begraafboeken van 's-Hertogenbosch
Stadsarchief 's-Hertogenbosch, Burgerlijke Stand 's-Hertogenbosch
Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, 1915
Van der Aa, A.J., Biographisch woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
