Map of Netherlands showing where the Hens arms are recorded
The Hens arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Hens 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 Hens 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 Hens Family in Netherlands
The surname Hens is a patronymic name, which means it originally developed as a shortened form of names like Johannes or Hendrik. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established in Amsterdam, a city that served as a major hub for trade and migration during the Napoleonic era. Records from 1815 show that members of the Hens family were active participants in the urban life of the Netherlands as the country transitioned into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. During this period, families often lived in dense neighborhoods near the city canals, working in crafts or maritime industries that defined the local economy. The name reflects a common trend in Dutch history where formal names were simplified into shorter, recognizable versions for daily use among the growing middle class.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
God is gracious
This name
HensA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name John.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
horseReadiness to serve king and country
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
horseReadiness to serve king and country
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
