Map of Netherlands showing where the Hem arms are recorded
The Hem 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 Hem 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 Hem 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 Hem Family in Netherlands
The surname Hem is deeply rooted in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in Frisian communities. In the Dutch language, the word hem refers to a piece of enclosed land or a meadow located near a village or a body of water. It is highly likely that the name originated as a topographical descriptor, identifying early ancestors by the specific landscape where they lived or farmed. As families moved through the rural Frisian countryside, the name became a permanent marker of their connection to the local geography. This transition from a simple description of land to a formal family name reflects the way many Dutch surnames were adopted during the centuries before official civil registration became mandatory.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 d'az. à une aigle de profil d'or, les ailes ouv.; au 2 d'arg. à trois barres d'az.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Hem arms are recorded
The Hem arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Hem 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Hem Family in France
The family name Hem traces its roots to the historic region of Flanders, a territory that was once part of the Spanish Netherlands before becoming a focal point of French expansion under King Louis XIV. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Hem family were well-established in this area, living within a landscape defined by shifting borders and the complex cultural blend of French and Flemish influences. The name itself is likely locative, meaning it was originally adopted by families living in or near the town of Hem, which is situated just outside the major city of Lille. During the seventeenth century, families in this region often faced the challenges of frequent warfare and the transition of local governance from Spanish to French authority. As the area became more integrated into the French kingdom, the Hem family remained rooted in the local economy, which was heavily supported by agriculture and the burgeoning textile trade that characterized the northern provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 d'az., acc. en chef d'un lion naiss. de gu., arm. et lamp. du sec., mouv. de la fasce.”
BelgiumTournaisis, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Hem arms are recorded
The Hem arms were recorded in Tournaisis, 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 Hem 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 Hem Family in Belgium
The family name Hem has deep roots in the historical region of Tournaisis, located in the western part of modern-day Belgium. By 1737, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area, which was known for its complex political history and shifting borders between France and the Austrian Netherlands. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a hem or a borderland area, reflecting the way people were identified by their surroundings in rural communities. During the eighteenth century, the people of Tournaisis were primarily engaged in agriculture and local trade, and families like the Hems were often tied to the land through generations of labor. As the region experienced various administrative changes, these early ancestors maintained their presence in the local parish registers, which serve as the primary evidence of their daily lives and social standing in the community. Their history is a reflection of the resilience of families who lived in the crossroads of Europe, where they built their lives amidst the changing landscape of the Belgian provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ham
A Germanic term referring to a meadow, enclosed land, or river bend.
This name
HemA topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or an enclosed piece of land.
also spelled
Hem
Heme
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland)
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Bevolkingsregisters (Population Registers)
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen (1959)
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van familienamen (1992)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
