A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kalkman family of Netherlands.
Reg. 6288 · Dutch, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'herm. à la bande de gu., ch. de trois coquilles d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à trois poutres de gu., posées en fasces, l'une sur l'autre.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Kalkman arms are recorded
The Kalkman 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 Kalkman 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 Kalkman 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 Kalkman Family in Netherlands
The Kalkman family name is rooted in the historical landscape of the Netherlands, with documented records confirming their presence in the province of Friesland by 1815. The name likely functions as a topographical or occupational descriptor, which was a common way for families to adopt surnames during the transition to formal registration systems in the early nineteenth century. In the Frisian dialect and surrounding Low German influences, the prefix "kalk" often refers to lime or chalk, suggesting that early ancestors may have been involved in the trade of lime burning or masonry. As the family established themselves in the northern coastal regions, they became part of the distinct cultural and linguistic heritage of Friesland. Over time, the name moved from a simple identifier of a person’s trade or location to a permanent family legacy passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kalk
Germanic or Middle Dutch term for lime or limestone.
This name
KalkmanA topographical name for someone who lived near a lime kiln or worked as a lime burner.
also spelled
Kolkman
Kokman
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, Geboorteakten 1815
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2024
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
