Map of Netherlands showing where the Ehlis arms are recorded
The Ehlis arms were recorded in Friesland, c. 1815.
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 Ehlis 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 Ehlis 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 Friesland.
Origin & History of the Ehlis Family in Netherlands
The name Ehlis traces its roots in the Netherlands to the northern province of Friesland, where family members were documented as early as 1815. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social changes following the end of the Napoleonic era and the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In Friesland, surnames were often solidified during the implementation of the civil registry, a process that required families to officially adopt permanent last names for government records. The Ehlis family likely integrated into the local Frisian community as agricultural workers or tradespeople, which was common for families in the rural northern provinces at that time. Because Friesland maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity separate from the rest of the country, the family name existed within a society that valued local traditions and close-knit village life. Over the following decades, the family expanded across the region, leaving behind a trail of birth, marriage, and death certificates that highlight their transition from local residents to a recognized part of the Frisian population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three legs couped at the thigh ar”
Walesc. 1647
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 Wales showing where the Ehlis arms are recorded
The Ehlis arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Netherlands when the Ehlis arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Ehlis Family in Wales
The family name Ehlis has deep roots in the historical landscape of Denbigh, Wales, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1647. During the seventeenth century, Denbigh was a bustling market town defined by its medieval castle and its position as a center for local trade and administration. Families living in this region were often tied to the land or involved in the skilled crafts that supported the town’s economy. The name Ehlis likely evolved through the local Welsh linguistic traditions, which often adapted surnames to reflect the unique phonetic patterns of the area. By establishing themselves in Denbigh during this period, the early Ehlis family became part of a small, tight-knit community that navigated the social and political shifts of post-Civil War Wales. Their presence in the town records suggests they were integrated into the civic life of the region, contributing to the long history of families who helped shape the identity of North Wales.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elias
The Lord is my God
This name
EhlisA patronymic form derived from the biblical name Elijah indicating descent from a person named Elias.
also spelled
Eliss
Elisz
Ellys
Ely
Elys
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 (Civil Registry of Friesland)
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1948
Winkler, Johan, De Nederlandse geslachtsnamen in oorsprong, geschiedenis en beteekenis, 1885
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
legStrength and swiftness
