A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gow family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9636 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce de gu., acc. en chef d'un coeur du même et en p. d'une sirène de carn., la queue d'azur, tenant de sa main dextre une boule du même et de sa sen. un fermail d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Gow arms are recorded
The Gow 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 Gow 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 Gow 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 Gow Family in Netherlands
The surname Gow has deep roots that connect to the Gaelic word for a smith, which was a vital profession in early societies. While many people associate the name with the Scottish Highlands, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Friesland by 1815. During this period, the Napoleonic Wars were coming to an end, and the social landscape of Europe was changing rapidly. Families in Friesland often adopted or solidified their surnames during these years due to new government requirements for civil registration. The presence of the Gow name in this area suggests that these ancestors were likely part of the skilled artisan class or trade networks that moved across the North Sea. By settling in Friesland, these early family members integrated into a unique culture known for its strong maritime traditions and independent spirit.
Gow Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gow
Derived from the Gaelic word gobha meaning a blacksmith.
This name
GowAn occupational surname identifying an individual who worked as a smith or metalworker.
also spelled
Gauwe
Gauwens
Gau
Gow
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) records for the province of Friesland, 1811–1815
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Draye, Maurits, De voornaamste Friese familienamen, 1968
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
