A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Drees family of Germany.
Reg. 6899 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à neuf fleurs-de-lis d'or, 4, 3 et 2; au chef du même, ch. d'une merle du champ. C.: la merle; entre un vol, de sa. et d'or.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
Where the Drees Arms Were Recorded
Westphalia
Map of Germany showing where the Drees arms are recorded
The Drees arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Drees arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Drees Family in Germany
The surname Drees is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it originated as a shortened version of the name Andreas. In the region of Westphalia, Germany, families often adopted these shorthand names to distinguish themselves within small farming communities. By 1765, the Drees family was well-established in this area, living as part of a traditional rural society where life revolved around the seasonal cycles of agriculture. During this period, the name was likely used to identify individuals who lived on specific farmsteads or worked as craftsmen in local villages. Because Westphalia was a hub for trade and migration, the Drees name gradually spread as family members moved to nearby towns to seek new opportunities in commerce and industry. This history reflects the transition of a family from a localized agricultural identity to a broader presence within the German landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Andreas
Derived from the Greek word for manly, brave, or masculine.
This name
DreesA Low German patronymic form of Andrew, indicating a descendant of a man named Andreas.
also spelled
Dries
Driesse
Driessen
Drees
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher und Personenstandsregister der westfälischen Provinzen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
