Map of Netherlands showing where the Flora arms are recorded
The Flora 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 Flora 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 Flora 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 Flora Family in Netherlands
The family name Flora carries a distinct history rooted in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, a time when the Dutch government began formalizing the registration of surnames for all citizens. The name itself likely evolved from the Latin word for flowers, which was a common practice during the period when people adopted descriptive or nature-inspired names to distinguish their households. In the context of Frisian history, families often maintained strong ties to their local communities through agricultural work or maritime trade, which allowed the name to persist across generations. As the family grew, they became part of the unique cultural fabric of the region, contributing to the local traditions and social development that defined life in the northern Netherlands during the early 1800s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'arg.; au chef du même, ch. de trois quintefeuilles du champ.”
FranceCambr, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Flora arms are recorded
The Flora arms were recorded in Cambr, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the Flora arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Flora Family in France
The family name Flora carries deep roots in the French landscape, particularly within the northern regions where the name was firmly established by the mid-seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in the town of Cambrai by 1663. During this period, Cambrai was a significant center of trade and religious life, having recently transitioned from Spanish control to French rule under the reign of King Louis XIV. Families like the Floras were often tied to the local agricultural economy or the skilled trades that supported the city’s growing population. As the region became more integrated into the French state, the name appeared in local parish registers and tax documents, which served as the primary way for officials to track residents. These early ancestors lived through a time of great political change, as the borders of France expanded and the influence of the monarchy reached deeper into provincial life. By maintaining their presence in Cambrai, the family became part of the enduring social fabric of northern France, contributing to the local community as the nation moved toward the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a crescent betw. three fleurs-de-lis ar. seeded or”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Flora arms are recorded
The Flora arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Flora arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Flora Family in England
The family name Flora in England is deeply rooted in the rural landscapes of the West Country, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the county of Somerset by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, surnames often evolved from nicknames or descriptions of a person's surroundings, and the name Flora likely relates to the Latin word for flowers, suggesting an early connection to gardening, herbalism, or the fertile meadows of the English countryside. Families in this region during the Stuart period were typically involved in agriculture or local trade, living in small parish communities where records were kept by the local church. As the family established itself in Somerset, they became part of the social fabric of the English village system, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that defined life in the seventeenth century. Their presence in these historical records provides a clear window into the lives of common families who helped shape the local identity of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Flos
Latin term referring to a flower or blossom.
This name
FloraDerived from the Roman goddess of flowers and the season of spring.
also spelled
Flori
Florie
Florya
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) of Friesland, 1811–1950
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Dutch Surname Database)
Van der Aa, A.J., Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1852
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
