A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goossens family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6673 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 arc-en-ciel au nat., posé en fasce, acc. en p. d'une terrasse au nat.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Goossens Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Goossens arms are recorded
The Goossens 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 Goossens 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 Goossens 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 Goossens Family in Netherlands
The surname Goossens is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the first name of a father or ancestor. In this case, the name is based on the given name Goossen, which is a shortened form of the Germanic name Godezois. This name combines the roots for "god" and "goth" or "good" and "traveler." By the time the family was firmly established in the province of Friesland in 1815, the use of such surnames had become a standard way to track lineage across the Netherlands. During this period, the Dutch government began to formalize civil registration, requiring families to adopt fixed surnames to make tax collection and military conscription more efficient. Because the name Goossens was already well-established in the northern regions, it reflects a long history of families living in rural communities where identity was closely tied to one’s father and local heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 parti: a. d'arg. à un oiseau de sa.; b. de gu. à trois pals d'or; au 2 d'azur à trois étoiles d'or, 2 et 1, et un filet en bande, br. sur les étoiles. C.: une étoile d'or, entre un vol d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
BelgiumBruges, c. 1737
Where the Goossens Arms Were Recorded
Bruges
Map of Belgium showing where the Goossens arms are recorded
The Goossens arms were recorded in Bruges, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Netherlands when the Goossens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Goossens Family in Belgium
The family name Goossens is a patronymic surname, which means it originated from the given name Goossen, a common medieval variation of the name Godfried or Godfrey. In the context of Belgium, the name reflects the deep linguistic and cultural roots of the Low Countries, where names were often derived from the personal names of ancestors to identify family lines. By the time members of the family were documented in Bruges in 1737, the name was already well-established across the Flemish region. During the eighteenth century, Bruges was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Goossens were often integrated into the local urban economy as merchants, artisans, or skilled laborers. The presence of the family in such a prominent city suggests they were part of the stable middle class that helped define the social fabric of the Belgian provinces before the industrial changes of the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godefridus
Derived from Germanic elements meaning god and peace or protection.
This name
GoossensA patronymic surname meaning son of Godefridus or son of Godfried.
also spelled
Gossens
Goosens
Related arms
Gossensvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen in Nederland, 1951
Van Berkel, Gerald and Samplonius, Kees, Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard, 2018
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, 1811–1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
