A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Bell family of Netherlands.
Reg. 8083 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
vairProtection, and the winter fur
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'or, supp. trois pièces de vair d'azur, et acc. en bas de trois autres pièces de vair renversées d'azur, mouv. de la fasce.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the de Bell Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the de Bell arms are recorded
The de Bell 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 de Bell 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 Bell 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 Bell Family in Netherlands
The family name de Bell has deep roots in the northern region of the Netherlands known as Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this area. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a locational identifier common in the naming customs of the time. During the year 1815, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes following the Napoleonic era, which led to the formal registration of surnames across the country. This period required families to solidify their official identities in government records, helping to preserve the history of the de Bell name for future generations. As the family lived in a region defined by its unique language and maritime culture, they were part of a community that valued independence and agricultural tradition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
de BellRefers to a person of handsome appearance or one who lived near a bell tower.
also spelled
Debel
Bell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland
Netherlands National Archives (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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
