A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lemke family of Netherlands.
Reg. 0181 · Dutch, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and 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 agneau pass. d'arg. C.: l'agneau, iss., entre un vol de gu.”
NetherlandsDeventer, c. 1815
Where the Lemke Arms Were Recorded
Deventer
Map of Netherlands showing where the Lemke arms are recorded
The Lemke arms were recorded in Deventer, 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
Deventer
Town
Deventer
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Lemke 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 Lemke 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 Lemke Family in Netherlands
PronunciationLEM-kuh/ˈlɛmkə/
The surname Lemke is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Lambert or Lemme. This name gained popularity in Northern Germany and the coastal regions of the Netherlands, including Friesland, during the Middle Ages. By the time your ancestors were documented in Friesland in 1815, the name had already been established in the region for several generations. Families with this name were often part of the rural working class, frequently settling in areas where they could engage in farming or maritime trade. Because Friesland was a region defined by its unique language and independent spirit, the Lemke family likely adapted to the local culture while maintaining their Germanic naming traditions. Over time, the spelling of the name remained relatively consistent, helping to preserve the family identity as they moved through the changing political landscapes of the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lambert
Derived from the Germanic elements land meaning land and beraht meaning bright.
This name
LemkeA diminutive form of the name Lambert, signifying a bright or famous land.
also spelled
Lemke
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum). Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1942
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lambGentleness, patience and faith
lambGentleness, patience and faith
