A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fennema family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1131 · Dutch, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un brancard de marchand de vin, posé en fasce, acc. en chef d'un barillet couché, et en p. d'une ruche du même entre deux étoiles, le tout d'or.”
NetherlandsBois-le, c. 1815
Where the Fennema Arms Were Recorded
Bois-le
Map of Netherlands showing where the Fennema arms are recorded
The Fennema arms were recorded in Bois-le, c. 1815.
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
Bois-le
Town
Bois-le
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Fennema 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 Fennema 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 Fennema Family in Netherlands
The Fennema family name originates from the northern provinces of the Netherlands, particularly within the region of Friesland. The name follows a traditional Frisian naming pattern where the suffix "ma" indicates a person who belongs to a specific family or household. By the early 19th century, members of the family were firmly established in the town of Bois-le-Duc, which is known in Dutch as 's-Hertogenbosch. During the year 1815, this area was undergoing significant political change as the Netherlands transitioned into a new kingdom following the defeat of Napoleon. Families like the Fennemas often moved to these administrative centers to participate in the growing trade and civil service opportunities of the time. Their presence in this city suggests that they were part of the mobile and industrious population that helped shape the local economy during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fenne
A Frisian diminutive form of the Germanic name Frederick meaning peaceful ruler.
This name
FennemaA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Fenne.
also spelled
Fenemae
Fennema
Venema
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar, Fryske Famyljenammen (Frisian Family Names), 1811-1825
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand van Noord-Brabant (Civil Registry of North Brabant), 1815
H.J. Voerman, Friese familienamen: een inleiding (Frisian family names: an introduction), 1998
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
