A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kees family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4303 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
horseReadiness to serve king and country
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 parti: a. de sa. à un cor-de-chasse d'or; b. d'or à un cheval cabré de sa.; au 2 de gu. à un pélican avec ses petits dans son aire d'arg. Sur le tout d'arg. à un dauphin au nat. en pal, la tête en bas. C.: une rose d'arg., tigée et feuillée de sin., entre deux prob. de sa., ornées chacune dans son embouchure d'une rose d'or.”
GermanyLeipzig, c. 1765
Where the Kees Arms Were Recorded
Leipzig
Map of Germany showing where the Kees arms are recorded
The Kees arms were recorded in Leipzig, 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 Germany when the Kees 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 Kees Family in Germany
The family name Kees has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a short form of the name Cornelius or as a descriptive nickname. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Leipzig. In 1765, Leipzig was a major center for trade, printing, and intellectual life, serving as a hub for merchants and scholars across the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in Leipzig during this era often benefited from the city’s famous trade fairs, which attracted visitors from all over the continent. As residents of this bustling urban environment, the Kees family would have been part of a society that valued education and commerce. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests they were integrated into the professional and social fabric of German life during the Enlightenment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lambGentleness, patience and faith
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“d'arg. à un agneau de sa., posé sur une terrasse de sin., et une aigle de profil de sa., cour. d'or, perchée sur le dos de l'agneau; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au lion d'or. tenant une grappe de raisins du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° les meubles du 1, entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre d'or sur azur, à sen. de sa. sur arg.; 1. d'arg. et de sa.; 2° le lion du 2, entre un vol coupé, à dextre de sa. sur arg., à sen. d'or sur sa.; 1. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1753
Where the Kees Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Kees arms are recorded
The Kees arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1753.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
First recorded
1753
Granting Authority for the Kees Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Kees arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Kees Family in Austria
The family name Kees has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where members of the family were documented as early as 1753. During this period, Tyrol was a vital part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and families like the Kees were often deeply connected to the local agricultural and administrative life of the Alpine valleys. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, serving as a way to identify individuals based on their trade or their specific place of residence within the rugged landscape. As the family established their presence in the mid-18th century, they became part of the social fabric of the Austrian Empire, navigating the unique challenges of mountain living and the shifting political landscape of the era. Their history reflects the broader story of Tyrolean families who maintained strong ties to their local communities while living under the influence of imperial rule.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cornelius
Derived from the Latin word for horn.
This name
KeesA Dutch and German diminutive form of the name Cornelius, meaning horn.
also spelled
Kase
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bauer, Richard. Leipzig: Eine Stadt im Wandel. 1995
Stadtarchiv Leipzig. Bürgerbücher der Stadt Leipzig. 1765
Zimmermann, Wilhelm. Geschichte der Stadt Leipzig. 1839
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
horseReadiness to serve king and country
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
horseReadiness to serve king and country
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lambGentleness, patience and faith
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
