A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maas family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0319 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à trois cors-de-chasse au nat. D.: VANITAS.”
NetherlandsGouda, c. 1815
Where the Maas Arms Were Recorded
Gouda
Map of Netherlands showing where the Maas arms are recorded
The Maas arms were recorded in Gouda, 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
Gouda
Town
Gouda
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Maas 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 Maas 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 Maas Family in Netherlands
The surname Maas is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. In the Netherlands, this name is closely linked to the Maas River, as it was common for families living near major waterways to adopt names that reflected their geography or their devotion to local landmarks. By the time the family was recorded in Gouda in 1815, the name had already been established for generations as a way to identify specific family lineages within the growing Dutch population. During the early nineteenth century, the Napoleonic administration required citizens to register their permanent surnames in official civil records. This formalization helped transition the name from a simple spoken identifier into a fixed family identity that remained consistent through the industrial growth of cities like Gouda. Because Gouda was a major center for trade and craftsmanship, families named Maas often integrated into the local economy, contributing to the city's long history of cheese production and clay pipe manufacturing.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
knightChivalry and service in arms
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 parti: a. d'azur à un garçon iss. et cont. de carn., tenant de sa main dextre une équerre d'or; b. d'or à un boeuf pass. de sa.; au 2 d'azur à une barque à un seul mât, dans laquelle est assis un homme hab. au nat., ladite barque portant sur la proue une banderole d'or et voguante sur une mer au nat. Brl. d'or et d'azur. C.: le garçon iss., tourné à dextre, tenant l'équerre de sa main dextre, la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Maas Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Maas arms are recorded
The Maas arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Maas Family in Switzerland
The family name Maas has deep roots in the region surrounding Bâle, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, the city served as a vital center for trade and craftsmanship, drawing families into its growing urban economy. The name itself is often linked to geographical origins, potentially referring to individuals who lived near the Meuse River or those who migrated from the Low Countries into the Swiss cantons. As the family settled in Bâle, they became part of the local social fabric, likely participating in the guild systems that defined Swiss city life in the eighteenth century. By integrating into the community, the Maas family helped shape the professional and cultural landscape of the region during a time of significant economic transition. Their presence in the city archives highlights a history of migration and stability that allowed the family to thrive within the Swiss borders for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thomas
Aramaic name meaning twin.
This name
MaasA patronymic surname derived from the short form of the name Thomas.
also spelled
Mas
Related arms
Mahsvariant spelling
de Leeuwrecorded with Maas, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van Nederlandse familienamen, 1963
Van Berkel, G. and Samplonius, K., Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard, 2018
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand in Nederland, 1811–1912
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
knightChivalry and service in arms
bullValour and generosity
