Map of Netherlands showing where the Kitts arms are recorded
The Kitts arms were recorded in Harlem, 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
Harlem
Town
Harlem
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Kitts 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 Kitts 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 Kitts Family in Netherlands
The surname Kitts is a variation of the name Kitt, which originated as a shortened form of Christopher. During the early nineteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Harlem area of New York. By 1815, these early settlers were part of a rapidly changing landscape as Harlem transitioned from a quiet farming community into a growing residential hub. The family likely participated in the local trade and agricultural activities that defined the region before the massive urban expansion of the later century. As the name moved through different generations and regions, it became a distinct marker of this specific lineage. Their early residency in Harlem places them among the families who witnessed the foundational development of one of the most famous neighborhoods in the United States.
Kitts Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Christophorus
Bearer of Christ
This name
KittsA patronymic surname derived from a shortened form of Christopher.
also spelled
Kuyts
Kuitz
Kuytz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Riker, James. Revised History of Harlem (City of New York): Its Origin and Early Annals. 1904
New York City Municipal Archives. New York City Tax Assessment Records, 1810-1820
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
