Map of Netherlands showing where the Mitsui arms are recorded
The Mitsui arms were recorded in Amsterdam, 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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Mitsui 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 Mitsui 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 Mitsui Family in Netherlands
The Mitsui family name originates from Japan, where it became synonymous with one of the most influential merchant houses in history. The family rose to prominence during the Edo period, initially gaining success through a sake brewing business and later expanding into finance and trade. By the early 19th century, the family had established a sophisticated network that reached far beyond its home country. Records indicate that members of the family were present in Amsterdam by 1815, marking a significant period of international engagement during a time when global commerce was rapidly evolving. This early presence in Europe highlights the family's ambition to connect Japanese industry with Western markets, setting the stage for their long-term impact on the global economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mitsu
Japanese term meaning three or light
This name
MitsuiDerived from Japanese toponyms referring to three wells or three water sources
also spelled
Mitz
Mitsse
Mitse
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Roberts, John G., Mitsui: Three Centuries of Japanese Business, 1973
Yasuoka, Shigeaki, Zaibatsu no keiei shi (The Business History of Zaibatsu), 1976
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Archief van de Gemeente Amsterdam: Bevolkingsregister (Amsterdam City Archives: Population Register)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
