A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Decker family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 1610 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 d'arg. à un coq de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois glands d'or. Sur le tout de sa. au lion d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Decker Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Decker arms are recorded
The Decker 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 Decker 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 Decker 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 Decker Family in Netherlands
The surname Decker is a classic occupational name that traces its roots back to the medieval period in the Low Countries. In the Dutch language, the word "dekker" refers to a roofer or a thatcher, someone who covered houses with reeds or straw to protect them from the elements. Because these craftsmen were essential to every village and town, the name appeared independently in many different regions as people began to adopt permanent surnames. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the northern province of Friesland. These individuals were often part of the hardworking rural population that shaped the unique landscape of the Dutch countryside. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple description of a person’s trade into a formal family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. à un pélican avec ses petits dans son aire, le tout d'arg.; au 2 d'arg. à une branche de chène de sin., feuillée de trois pièces et englantée d'autant de pièces d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un bras, arm. de sa., la main gantelée tenant une épée d'arg. en barre; entre un vol de sa. L. d'arg. et de gu.; ou, d'or et d'azur. D.: AUF GOTT UND EIGNEN MUTH VERTRAU.”
Germanyc. 1819
Where the Decker Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Decker arms are recorded
The Decker arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1819.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Decker arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Decker Family in Germany
The surname Decker is a classic occupational name that traces its roots back to the medieval German language. It comes from the Middle High German word "decker," which translates to a roofer or a thatcher. During the Middle Ages, people often received surnames based on the work they performed, and those who specialized in protecting homes from the elements were essential members of their village communities. By the early 19th century, families carrying this name were well-established across various German regions, including Bavaria. Records from 1819 confirm that the Decker family was active in Bavarian society during this time, likely continuing the tradition of skilled craftsmanship or agricultural labor that had defined their ancestors for generations. As the population grew, these families moved through the German states, carrying their trade-based name as a permanent mark of their family history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a demi buck gu. betw. his fore-legs an arrow erect in pale or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1702
Where the Decker Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Decker arms are recorded
The Decker arms were recorded in London, c. 1702.
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 England in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Netherlands when the Decker arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Decker Family in England
The surname Decker is an occupational name that originated from the Middle Dutch word "dekker," which translates to a roofer or a thatcher. While the name has strong roots in the Low Countries, it became established in England as trade and migration patterns brought families across the North Sea. By the early 18th century, the Decker family was well-documented as being present in London. These early residents were often part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that fueled the city's economy during the reign of Queen Anne. As they settled into urban life, they transitioned from their traditional rural trade roots to become integrated into the diverse professional landscape of the capital. This migration reflects a broader trend of European families moving to England to seek new opportunities in a rapidly industrializing society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dek
A covering, roof, or protective layer.
This name
DeckerAn occupational surname for a roofer or someone who covers houses with thatch.
also spelled
Dekker
Deker
Related arms
Beckersimilar arms
Bianchellisimilar arms
Clinghartsimilar arms
Dekkervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P. J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1957
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, 1815
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
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