A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galas family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1122 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 sin. à trois faucons d'arg. S.: deux faucons d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Galas Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Galas arms are recorded
The Galas 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 Galas 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 Galas 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 Galas Family in Netherlands
The surname Galas has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in this area, living through a time of significant political change as the region transitioned from French occupation to the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic traditions in Northern Europe, where it may have functioned as a descriptive term or a variation of a given name common to the Germanic and Frisian populations. Families with this name were often involved in the traditional agricultural and maritime industries that defined Frisian life during the 1800s. Because Friesland maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, the Galas family lived within a community that valued local customs and strong ancestral ties. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in local civil registries, marking their long-standing presence in the Dutch landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gallus
Latin term meaning a rooster or a person from Gaul.
This name
GalasA habitational name for someone originating from the region of Gaul or a nickname for a proud person.
also spelled
Gallass
Gallasse
Gallasso
Galas
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland)
Nationaal Archief, Bevolkingsregisters van de provincie Friesland
Hofstra, T., Geschiedenis van Friesland (2008)
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen en hun herkomst (1995)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
