A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eke family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3699 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 écureuil de gu.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Eke Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Eke arms are recorded
The Eke 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 Eke 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 Eke 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 Eke Family in Netherlands
The family name Eke is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Frisian region, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1815. In the Frisian language, the name is often linked to the Old Frisian word "eke," which refers to a small boat or a type of flat-bottomed vessel used for navigating the shallow waters and canals of the northern Netherlands. This connection suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been involved in maritime trade, fishing, or the transport of goods across the intricate waterways that defined the Frisian economy. As the family settled into their communities, they became part of the distinct cultural identity of Friesland, a region known for its strong emphasis on local autonomy and linguistic heritage. By the early nineteenth century, the Eke name was firmly established within these rural and coastal settings, reflecting a lifestyle closely tied to the geography and traditions of the Dutch North Sea coast.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eke
Derived from the Germanic element ecke meaning edge or sword point.
This name
EkeA patronymic or occupational name referring to a person associated with a sword or sharp edge.
also spelled
Eeck
Eke
Eck
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811-1900)
Winkler, Johan, De Nederlandsche 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.
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