Map of Netherlands showing where the Kray arms are recorded
The Kray 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 Kray 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 Kray 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 Kray Family in Netherlands
The surname Kray has deep roots in the coastal region of Friesland, where families were firmly established by the early 19th century. In the Frisian language and surrounding dialects, the name likely evolved from descriptive terms related to a person’s physical traits or their specific role within a small farming community. During the year 1815, the region was undergoing significant administrative changes as it transitioned into the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands. At this time, government officials began to standardize civil records, which required families to formally register their surnames for the first time. Because Friesland was a landscape defined by its proximity to the North Sea and its unique cultural identity, the Kray family name became a permanent marker of their local heritage. These early ancestors were likely involved in the traditional trades of the area, such as agriculture or maritime labor, which allowed them to maintain a stable presence in the Frisian countryside for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kraai
A black bird of the crow family.
This name
KrayA nickname for someone with dark hair or a loud, harsh voice.
also spelled
Craai
Cray
Kray
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
Hofstra, T., Friesland en de Nederlanden: Een historische verkenning, 2005
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Dutch Surname Database), 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ravenConstancy and divine providence
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
ravenConstancy and divine providence
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
