Map of Netherlands showing where the Means arms are recorded
The Means 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 Means 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 Means 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 Means Family in Netherlands
The surname Means has roots that trace back to the northern region of the Netherlands, specifically the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the Frisian landscape. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their surnames due to the influence of French administration under Napoleon. Before these mandatory registration laws, many families in rural areas like Friesland used patronymic naming systems, where a person’s last name was based on their father’s first name. The emergence of a fixed name like Means suggests that the family had reached a level of social stability or had transitioned away from traditional naming customs to comply with new government record-keeping requirements. This shift reflects a broader transformation in Dutch society as the country moved toward a more centralized and documented way of identifying its people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à une épée d'arg., garnie de sa.; au 2 d'azur à un oreiller carré d'arg., bordé et houppé d'or. S.: deux léopards lionnés d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1597
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Map of Belgium showing where the Means arms are recorded
The Means arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1597.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip II of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip II of Spain
1556–1598
Reigning in Netherlands when the Means arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Flandre.
Origin & History of the Means Family in Belgium
The history of the Means family in the Flanders region of Belgium dates back to at least 1597, a time when the area was a center of intense religious and political change. During the late sixteenth century, the Low Countries were caught in the middle of the Eighty Years' War, which forced many families to adapt to shifting borders and new administrative authorities. The name likely emerged from the local linguistic landscape, where it was influenced by the complex mix of Middle Dutch and regional dialects spoken in the bustling trade cities of the Flemish coast. Families living in this region at the time often worked in the textile industry or agriculture, which were the primary drivers of the local economy. As the family established roots in Flanders, they became part of a society that valued community ties and local craftsmanship. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant transition, as the region moved between local governance and the influence of larger European powers. By remaining in Flanders during this era, the family helped shape the cultural fabric of a region known for its resilience and its long history of international trade.
Means Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mene
Old Germanic term referring to a common person or member of community.
This name
MeansA patronymic or descriptive surname indicating descent from a person of common status.
also spelled
Moen
Moense
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand (Registers of the Civil Registry)
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen (1963)
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swordJustice, and military honour
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
