Map of Netherlands showing where the Hes arms are recorded
The Hes 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 Hes 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 Hes 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 Hes Family in Netherlands
The surname Hes is rooted in the historical landscape of the Netherlands, where it appears as a distinct family name by the early nineteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Hes family were living in Amsterdam by 1815, a time when the city was undergoing significant social changes following the end of the Napoleonic era. The name itself is often linked to the Dutch word for a young person or a servant, though it also functioned as a shortened form of names like Hester or Hendrik. During this period, families in Amsterdam were required to formalize their surnames for government civil registries, which helped solidify the spelling of Hes across official documents. As the family established their lives in the bustling trade hub of Amsterdam, they became part of the city’s growing urban population, contributing to the local economy and the rich cultural tapestry of the Dutch capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hess
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Hesso or Hartmann.
This name
HesA patronymic surname derived from a short form of names starting with the element hard.
also spelled
Hes
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gemeente Amsterdam Stadsarchief, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2024
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
