Map of Netherlands showing where the Dickenson arms are recorded
The Dickenson 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 Dickenson 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 Dickenson 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 Dickenson Family in Netherlands
The history of the Dickenson name in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the unique cultural landscape of the Friesland province during the early nineteenth century. While the name itself has roots in Northern England, the presence of the family in Friesland by 1815 suggests a migration pattern linked to the shifting political borders and trade networks of the Napoleonic era. At this time, the Dutch government was actively formalizing civil registries to track citizens more accurately, which required families to solidify their surnames for official records. The Dickenson family likely integrated into the local Frisian society by adapting their traditional naming customs to fit the strict requirements of the Dutch civil registration system. This period was a time of significant transition, as the family navigated the linguistic differences between their origins and the local West Frisian language. By settling in this region, the early members of the family became part of a diverse group of people who helped shape the administrative and social identity of the province during the restoration of the Dutch monarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 bend engr. az. betw. two lions ramp”
WiltsWilts, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Dickenson arms are recorded
The Dickenson arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Dickenson 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Dickenson Family in England
The surname Dickenson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Dick, a common medieval nickname for Richard. During the Middle Ages, as populations grew and people began to move away from their birthplaces, surnames became necessary to distinguish individuals in legal and tax documents. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Wiltshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Dickenson family were living in this region, where they likely worked as farmers or tradespeople within the local village economy. As the family name spread across England, it evolved through various spellings, reflecting the local dialects and the inconsistent nature of record-keeping at the time. These early ancestors were part of the foundational layers of English society, contributing to the development of local communities long before the name became widely recognized across the country.
Dickenson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Diederik
Ruler of the people or powerful leader.
This name
DickensonPatronymic surname meaning son of the ruler of the people.
also spelled
Dickinson
Dikenson
Dykenson
Related arms
Dickinsonvariant spelling
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 (1811-1950)
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Dijkstra, B., Friese familienamen: een onderzoek naar hun oorsprong en verspreiding, 1998
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
