A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mennenga family of Netherlands.
Reg. 6733 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur à un poisson d'or, cour. du même, posé en bande; au 2 de gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois oiseaux de sa.; au 3 de gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. de cinq trèfles de sin., posés dans le sens de la bande; au 4 d'or à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois oiseaux de gu., posés dans le sens de la bande; celle-ci acc. de douze tourt. de gu., six en chef, 3, 2 et 1, et six en p. 1, 2 et 3.”
NetherlandsGorinchem, c. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Netherlands showing where the Mennenga arms are recorded
The Mennenga arms were recorded in Gorinchem, c. 1725.
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
Gorinchem
Town
Gorinchem
First recorded
1725
Granting Authority for the Mennenga 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.
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 Mennenga Family in Netherlands
The family name Mennenga finds its roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands and the adjacent territories of East Frisia. While the name is closely associated with these coastal areas, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Gorinchem by 1725. During this period, the name functioned as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name Menno with the suffix -inga added to indicate descent or belonging to a specific group. This naming tradition was common among the Frisian people, who often used these structures to identify family lineages within their communities. As the family moved into urban centers like Gorinchem, they integrated into the local social and economic life of the Dutch Republic. The persistence of the name across generations reflects the migration patterns of families moving from the northern provinces toward the more central trading hubs of the Netherlands during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Menne
A short form of the Germanic name Meinard meaning strong strength.
This name
MennengaA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Menne.
also spelled
Mening
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Regionaal Archief Rivierenland, Doop-, trouw- en begraafboeken (DTB) Gorinchem
Gelders Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en bevolkingsregisters
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1950
J. van der Schaar, 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
