A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Ras family of Netherlands.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De sa. à une roue de moulin d'or, munie de quatre augettes faisant face aux angles de l'écu.”
The de Ras 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
Reigning in Netherlands when the de Ras 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 Ras traces its historical roots to the northern province of Friesland in the Netherlands. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this region, which is known for its unique language and distinct cultural identity. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific location, as was common practice in the naming conventions of the time. During the period around 1815, when the Netherlands was transitioning into a new kingdom, families like the de Ras line were often documented in local civil registries as the government began to standardize record-keeping for all citizens. These early ancestors were part of a resilient Frisian population that navigated the social and economic changes of the Napoleonic era, laying the foundation for the family’s presence in the region for generations to come.
A Dutch word referring to a race, breed, or type of person.
