A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Els family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9570 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur à trois étoiles d'or, rangées en pal. C.: une aigle ép. de sa.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Els Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Els arms are recorded
The Els 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 Els 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 Els 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 Els Family in Netherlands
The family name Els finds its historical roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area. The name likely developed as a shortened form or a variation of older Germanic given names, which was a common practice during the period when surnames were becoming permanent fixtures for legal and tax purposes. Life in Friesland during the 1800s was defined by the unique Frisian language and a strong tradition of independent farming and maritime trade. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and communal life that shaped the Frisian landscape. This period marked a time of transition as the family name became a fixed identifier, linking generations to the specific cultural identity of the northern Dutch provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elisabeth
Hebrew name meaning pledged to God or God is my oath.
This name
ElsA Dutch patronymic or matronymic form derived as a short variant of the name Elisabeth.
also spelled
Els
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) records for Friesland, 1811–1900
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
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.
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
