A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerling family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3983 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de sa. à un navet d'arg., feuillé de sin., la queue en bas; au 2 de gu. à trois grelots d'or. C.: le navet; ou, le navet, entre un vol de gu. L. d'arg. et de sa.”
NetherlandsHarlem, c. 1815
Where the Gerling Arms Were Recorded
Harlem
Map of Netherlands showing where the Gerling arms are recorded
The Gerling arms were recorded in Harlem, 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
Harlem
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Gerling 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 Gerling 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 Gerling Family in Netherlands
The family name Gerling has deep roots in Germanic regions, where it likely originated as a descriptive surname derived from the Old High German word "ger," meaning spear. This suggests that early ancestors may have been known for their skill in craftsmanship or their role as warriors. By the early 19th century, members of the family had established a presence in the bustling neighborhood of Harlem. Records from 1815 confirm that the Gerling family was active in this area during a time of significant growth and transition for New York City. As they settled into their new environment, they contributed to the local community through trade and labor. This move marked a major chapter in the family history as they transitioned from their European origins to become part of the developing urban landscape of early America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ger
Derived from the Germanic element meaning spear or lance.
This name
GerlingA patronymic name indicating a descendant of someone named Gerlach or Gerard.
also spelled
Gerlingh
Gerling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
New York City Municipal Archives, "New York City Tax Assessment Records, 1815"
Smith, Helmut Walser, The German People: A Personal History, 2008
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, "The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record," 1905
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
