A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dull family of Netherlands.
Reg. 6421 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un arbre terrassé de sin.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Dull Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Dull arms are recorded
The Dull 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 Dull 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 Dull 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 Dull Family in Netherlands
The family name Dull has deep roots in the northern region of the Netherlands known as Friesland. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this coastal province. The name itself is thought to be descriptive, likely originating from a nickname used to identify a specific person or their personality traits during the Middle Ages. In the Frisian language and local dialects, such names often evolved from common words used in daily life to distinguish between neighbors in small farming communities. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social and economic structures of the region. Their history reflects the broader movement of Frisian families who maintained strong local identities while adapting to the changing political landscape of the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dul
A Germanic or Middle Dutch term referring to something dull or blunt.
This name
DullA descriptive nickname for a person perceived as slow-witted or lacking sharpness.
also spelled
Dulle
Dul
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
Dijkstra, F., Fryske Nammen (Frisian Names), 1982
Van der Meer, G., De Fryske Familienammen (The Frisian Family Names), 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
