A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goy family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9517 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à la fasce de gu., acc. en chef d'une fasce vivrée du même.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Goy Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Goy arms are recorded
The Goy 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 Goy 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 Goy 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 Goy Family in Netherlands
The family name Goy has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was a time of significant transition for the Dutch people following the end of French rule. The name itself likely evolved from older regional dialects or geographic descriptions common to the Frisian landscape. Because Friesland maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity for centuries, families living there often held onto specific naming traditions that reflected their local heritage. As the Netherlands moved toward a more centralized system of civil registration in 1811 and 1812, families like the Goy line were formally documented in official records for the first time. These early documents provide a clear window into their lives as they navigated the changing social and political landscape of the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, acc. de trois monts de trois coupeaux d'arg.; au chef d'arg. à l'ours pass. de sa., ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Goy Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Goy arms are recorded
The Goy arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the Goy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Goy Family in France
The surname Goy has deep roots in the historical province of Lyonnais, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region served as a vital crossroads for trade and agriculture, placing the family at the heart of French provincial life. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a localized place name, which was a common practice for identifying families before modern record-keeping became standardized. As residents of the Lyonnais area, members of the Goy family were part of a society defined by strong community ties and the influence of the nearby city of Lyon, which was a major hub for silk production and banking. By establishing themselves in this region, the early bearers of the name contributed to the social fabric of rural and urban life in pre-revolutionary France. Their presence in these historical documents provides a window into the lives of ordinary families who helped shape the identity of the French countryside over several centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à une fleur-de-lis de gu.; au chef de sa., ch. de trois coquilles d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois cors-de-chasse d'or, vir. du même.”
BrabantBourbonnais · Brabant, c. 1737
Where the Goy Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Goy arms are recorded
The Goy arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Goy 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 Brabant.
Origin & History of the Goy Family in Belgium
The family name Goy has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, which is located in modern-day Belgium. By the year 1737, records confirm that members of the Goy family were already established residents in this area. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a bustling center of trade and agriculture under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. Families like the Goys often lived in small rural communities or growing market towns where they contributed to the local economy through farming or skilled craftsmanship. Because the name appears in parish registers and tax documents from this period, we know that these early ancestors were integrated into the social fabric of their villages. They lived through a time of significant transition as the region navigated shifting political borders and economic changes. Their presence in the historical record provides a clear link to the daily life and traditions of the Belgian people during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gode
Old Germanic term meaning god or good.
This name
GoyA patronymic or topographic name derived from a shortened form of names containing the element god.
also spelled
Go
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
Netherlands Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
