Map of Netherlands showing where the Likens arms are recorded
The Likens 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 Likens 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 Likens 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 Likens Family in Netherlands
The family name Likens likely finds its roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the family were established in this coastal area, which was a time of significant transition as the Kingdom of the Netherlands was officially formed. The name itself follows a pattern common to the region where surnames were often derived from a person’s father or their specific place of origin. In the Frisian language, naming conventions were distinct and often reflected the unique cultural identity of the local people who lived near the North Sea. As these early family members navigated the social changes of the nineteenth century, they contributed to the agricultural and maritime traditions that defined Frisian life. Over time, the name evolved in spelling as the family moved or interacted with different administrative systems, eventually leading to the form used today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lykke
Old Norse word meaning happiness, good fortune, or luck.
This name
LikensA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone who was considered fortunate or happy.
also spelled
Liskenss
Liskense
Liskensz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank
Huizinga, A., Encyclopedie van namen, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
