Map of Netherlands showing where the Kappen arms are recorded
The Kappen 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 Kappen 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 Kappen 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 Kappen Family in Netherlands
The surname Kappen has deep roots in the urban landscape of the Netherlands, particularly within the bustling streets of Amsterdam. By the early 19th century, members of the Kappen family were well-established residents of the city, living through a period of great change as the Netherlands transitioned into a new kingdom after the Napoleonic era. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive occupational term, as the word "kappen" refers to the act of cutting or chopping. This suggests that early ancestors may have worked in trades such as woodcutting, butchery, or tailoring, where specialized cutting skills were essential for daily labor. As these individuals settled in Amsterdam by 1815, they became part of the city’s vibrant working class, contributing to the local economy and social fabric of the capital during a time of national reconstruction.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à une tête et col de l'aigle de Prusse; au 2 coupé: a. d'or à une tête de More, tort. d'arg.; b. d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: la tête et col d'aigle. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1717
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Map of Germany showing where the Kappen arms are recorded
The Kappen arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1717.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Netherlands when the Kappen 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 Kappen Family in Germany
The surname Kappen traces its roots to the rural landscapes of southern Germany, where it emerged as a descriptive name rooted in the Middle High German word *kappe*. This term originally referred to a hooded cloak or a specific type of head covering, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for crafting these garments or wearing a distinct style of hood. By 1717, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the Bavarian region. During this period, the Kappen family lived within a society defined by agrarian traditions and local parish life. As members of the community, they were likely involved in the small-scale farming and trade that sustained the villages of the Holy Roman Empire. The name evolved alongside the linguistic shifts of the German language, eventually solidifying into the form recognized today as families moved through the changing political borders of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kappe
A Middle Dutch term for a hood, cape, or head covering.
This name
KappenA topographic or occupational name for someone who wore or made hoods or capes.
also spelled
Kopen
Koeppen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
