A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gellis family of Netherlands.
Reg. 5823 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à deux poissons d'arg., passés en saut., acc. en chef d'une rose d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Gellis Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Gellis arms are recorded
The Gellis 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 Gellis 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 Gellis 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 Gellis Family in Netherlands
The surname Gellis finds its roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, the family was firmly established in this area, living among the unique Frisian culture and language that distinguishes the region from the rest of the country. The name likely evolved as a patronymic, meaning it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. During the period around 1815, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes, including the formal registration of surnames under the Napoleonic civil code. This era required families to stabilize their naming practices for official census and tax records, which helped solidify Gellis as a permanent family identifier. The family members of this time were often integrated into the local agricultural or maritime communities that defined the Frisian economy, reflecting a history deeply connected to the land and the coastal landscape of the northern Netherlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Giles
Derived from the Greek word aegis meaning shield or protection.
This name
GellisA patronymic surname originating from the personal name Aegidius, signifying a young goat or shield-bearer.
also spelled
Gelyss
Gelys-de
Gellis
Zheli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811–1950)
Ypema, Y., Geschiedenis van de Friese landbouw (1975)
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Database of Dutch Surnames)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
