A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harjes family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1287 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin. à trois bes. d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Harjes Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Harjes arms are recorded
The Harjes 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 Harjes 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 Harjes 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 Harjes Family in Netherlands
The family name Harjes is deeply rooted in the coastal region of Friesland, where it emerged as a patronymic surname. In this naming tradition, the name was derived from the given name Harje, which was a common regional variation of names like Haro or Harry. By adding the suffix "s," the name indicated that the individual was the son of Harje. Records confirm that the family was well-established in this area by 1815, living in a landscape defined by its proximity to the North Sea and a strong culture of independent farming and maritime trade. As the family grew, they became part of the distinct social fabric of the Frisian people, who have historically maintained a unique language and set of customs separate from the rest of the Netherlands and Germany. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple description of lineage into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hari
An ancient Germanic word meaning army or warrior.
This name
HarjesA patronymic form meaning son of the warrior or son of Harry.
also spelled
Harge
Hargess
Harguez
Harjes
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) Friesland, 1811–1950
Dijkstra, B., Friese familienamen: Een overzicht van de herkomst en verspreiding, 1998
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
