Map of Netherlands showing where the Klock arms are recorded
The Klock 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 Klock 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 Klock 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 Klock Family in Netherlands
The surname Klock has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. The name is occupational in origin, likely derived from the Middle Dutch word "klocke," which refers to a bell or a clock. In medieval times, this name was often given to individuals who worked as bell ringers, clockmakers, or town criers who signaled the time to the local community. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing the Klock name were well-established in the Frisian landscape. These early ancestors were often part of the hardworking agrarian and trade classes that defined the social structure of the region. As the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes during the Napoleonic era, families were required to formalize their surnames in official civil registries. This transition helped solidify the Klock name as a distinct family identity that has persisted in the region for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un poisson d'arg., en fasce, courbé en demi-cercle. C.: un vol de gu., chaque aile ch. d'un poisson d'arg. en pal, affr.”
GermanyBiberach Wurt, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Klock arms are recorded
The Klock arms were recorded in Biberach Wurt, 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 Klock 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 Klock Family in Germany
The surname Klock originates from the Middle High German word "klocke," which historically referred to a bell or a bell ringer. In the context of early German society, this name was often an occupational surname given to individuals who served as sextons or bell ringers for local churches. By the time members of the family were documented in Biberach in 1765, the name had become a well-established identifier within the region. During the eighteenth century, Biberach was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Klocks were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems. These early ancestors likely lived as skilled tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the Swabian region. Their presence in official records from this period reflects a time when surnames were becoming permanent fixtures of family identity, transitioning from simple descriptions of a person’s job to hereditary names passed down through generations.
Klock Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
klocke
Middle Dutch word for a bell or a clock.
This name
KlockAn occupational surname for a bell ringer, clockmaker, or someone who lived near a bell tower.
also spelled
Kloch
Clock
Related arms
Klochvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2023
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, 1811–1950
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
