A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Bruin family of Netherlands.
Reg. 7340 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au huchet de sa., courbé en forme de S, posé en pal, vir. et eng. d'or, l'embouchure en haut, ledit huchet percé de deux flèches de gu., passées en saut., les pointes en haut.”
NetherlandsArnhem, c. 1815
Where the de Bruin Arms Were Recorded
Arnhem
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Bruin arms are recorded
The de Bruin arms were recorded in Arnhem, 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
Arnhem
Town
Arnhem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the de Bruin 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 de Bruin 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 de Bruin Family in Netherlands
The surname de Bruin is a classic Dutch name that translates literally to "the brown one." Historically, this name functioned as a descriptive nickname, likely given to an ancestor who had brown hair, a dark complexion, or perhaps a preference for wearing brown clothing. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of Arnhem in 1815, the name had long transitioned from a simple nickname into a permanent hereditary surname. During the early nineteenth century, Arnhem was a growing administrative and military center, and families like the de Bruins were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. As the family lived in this region, they participated in the social and civic life of the Gelderland province, helping to shape the local community through their work and trade during a time of significant political change in the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bruin
A Germanic adjective meaning brown in color.
This name
de BruinRefers to a person with brown hair, a brown complexion, or someone who wore brown clothing.
also spelled
Debruyn
Bruin
de Bruyn
Related arms
Baisisame arms
Barbierisame arms
Maudet du Vergersame arms
de Bruynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1964
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1988
Gelders Archief, Burgerlijke Stand Gelderland (Arnhem records)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
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
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
