A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Draken family of Netherlands.
Reg. 5293 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 deux brancards de sa., posés en fasces, l'un sur l'autre.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Draken Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Draken arms are recorded
The Draken 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 Draken 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 Draken 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 Draken Family in Netherlands
The family name Draken carries a strong connection to the historical region of Friesland, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1815. The name likely evolved from local linguistic roots, as the term "draken" is the plural form of the word for dragon in the Dutch and Frisian languages. In early northern European naming traditions, such names were often descriptive nicknames given to individuals who displayed great strength, courage, or a fierce temperament. During the early nineteenth century, the Draken family members in Friesland were likely part of the agrarian or maritime communities that defined the coastal landscape of the Netherlands. As the family grew and moved through the region, they contributed to the local culture and economy of the Frisian provinces, leaving behind a legacy that is still tied to the unique history and language of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Drakon
A Greek term referring to a serpent or a dragon.
This name
DrakenA Dutch occupational or habitational surname likely denoting someone associated with a dragon emblem or sign.
also spelled
Drakene
Drakens
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811-1850)
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Nederland's Repertorium van Familienamen
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
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
