A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Holley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4903 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de sin. Cq. cour. C.: le chamois, iss. L. d'or et de sa. (Variante : le champ d'azur, le chamois d'arg., accorné et onglé d'or, le rocher de gu., et au lieu de la rose la fleur dite Edelweiss ; L. d'or et d'azur.)”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Holley arms are recorded
The Holley 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 Holley 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 Holley 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 Holley Family in Netherlands
The history of the Holley name within the Netherlands is deeply connected to the distinct cultural landscape of the northern province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, families carrying this name were established members of Frisian society, a region known for its unique language and strong sense of local identity. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes, including the formalization of civil registration under the influence of the Napoleonic Code. This transition required families to solidify their surnames in official records, helping to preserve the lineage of those living in the rural and coastal communities of the north. The presence of the Holley family in Friesland by 1815 suggests they were part of a stable, land-holding or artisan class that navigated the shift from traditional naming customs to the modern system of permanent family names. Their history reflects the broader movement of Frisian families who maintained their regional heritage while integrating into the evolving structure of the Dutch state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
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 trois bonnets albanais de gu., les cordons passés en saut. C.: un bonnet de l'écu, entre deux drapeaux adossés de gu. T.: à dextre une aigle de gu.; à sen. un Albanais, hab. de gu., coiffé d'un bonnet pareil à ceux de l'écu; tenant chacun un drapeau de gu. D.: SUNDER DRUG EDDER SLYKEN.”
GermanyHan, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Holley arms are recorded
The Holley arms were recorded in Han, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Holley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Holley Family in Germany
The family name Holley, often appearing in German records as Holle or Holley, traces its roots to the dense forests and rolling landscapes of the central German regions. The name is generally considered a topographic surname, which means it was given to people who lived near a specific landmark, such as a hollow or a low-lying valley. By the mid-18th century, the family established a notable presence in the village of Han, located in the historical territory of Hesse. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the family were active participants in the local community during this period, likely working as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Life in this region was shaped by the rigid social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, where families often remained in the same village for generations. This deep connection to the land and the local parish helped define the early identity of the family as they navigated the agricultural and social challenges of 18th-century Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hulst
A type of evergreen shrub with prickly leaves and red berries.
This name
HolleyDerived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a holly tree.
also spelled
Holler
Hole
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) of Friesland, 1811–1815
Hacker, J., De geschiedenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1992
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
