Map of Netherlands showing where the Degraff arms are recorded
The Degraff 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 Degraff 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 Degraff 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 Degraff Family in Netherlands
The surname De Graff is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Netherlands, particularly within the northern province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of the Frisian community. The name itself is derived from the Dutch word "graaf," which translates to "count" or "earl." It is likely that the name originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who acted with the authority of a nobleman or perhaps served in the household of a local count. As the family settled into the unique cultural environment of Friesland, they became part of a region known for its distinct language and strong traditions of independence. Over time, the name evolved from a simple identifier into a permanent family legacy that tracked the movement and growth of these ancestors through the changing political landscape of the Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graaf
A Dutch noble title equivalent to a count or earl.
This name
DegraffRefers to someone who worked for or lived near a count.
also spelled
Degraif
de Graf
Degraaf
Degraff
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Centre), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811–1900)
Wiebe Jappe Alberts, Geschiedenis van de beide Frieslanden (1972)
G. van Berkel and K. Samplonius, Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard (2018)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
