A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Bie family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
beeIndustry, order and tireless workJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à trois abeilles au nat.”
The de Bie 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
Reigning in Netherlands when the de Bie arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname de Bie is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived or worked. In the Dutch language, the word "bie" is an archaic or regional variation of the word for a bee. It is likely that the first people to carry this name lived near a place known for beekeeping or perhaps resided in a location named after the insect. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the de Bie family were well-established in the city of Bois-le-Duc, which is known in Dutch as 's-Hertogenbosch. During this period, the family was integrated into the local community, and the name served as a way to identify their lineage within the growing urban population of the Netherlands. As the family moved and expanded throughout the region, the name remained a constant link to their historical roots in the southern provinces.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereignbeeIndustry, order and tireless workJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à une ruche d'or, acc. de deux abeilles du même, accostées dans le canton sen. du chef; au 2 de sin. plein. Cq. cour. C.: la ruche. L. d'arg. et de sin.”
The de Bie arms were recorded in Anvers, c. 1784.
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.
Reigning in Netherlands when the de Bie arms are first recorded.
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
The family name de Bie finds its roots in the Dutch language, where the word "bie" refers to a bee. In the context of early Belgian history, surnames often emerged from nicknames or descriptions of a person’s trade, character, or physical traits. Families bearing this name were well-established in the bustling port city of Antwerp by the late 18th century. By 1784, records show that members of the de Bie family were active participants in the social and economic life of this major urban center. During this period, Antwerp was a vital hub for trade and craftsmanship under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. The family likely navigated the complex guild systems and local administrative structures that defined life in the city before the major political upheavals of the French Revolution. Their presence in official documents from this era suggests they were integrated into the fabric of the local community, contributing to the city’s long tradition of commerce and civic engagement.
A Middle Dutch term referring to a bee.
