A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Moorman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8966 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à une tête de More, les yeux bandés d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à trois roses de quatre feuilles de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un More iss., les yeux bandés d'arg., portant un arc d'or sur son épaule et un carquois d'azur à la hanche sen., tenant de sa main dextre étendue un javelot d'or en barre, la pointe en haut. L.: à l'int. de gu., d'azur et de sa.; à l'ext. d'or.”
FrieslandFriesland, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Moorman arms are recorded
The Moorman arms were recorded in Friesland, c. 1815.
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 Moorman 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 Moorman 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 Friesland.
Origin & History of the Moorman Family in Netherlands
The surname Moorman carries a deep connection to the northern landscapes of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region, living among the unique waterways and polders that define the Dutch countryside. The name itself is likely descriptive, originating from the Middle Dutch word "moor," which often referred to a person with dark features or someone who lived near a marshy, peat-filled area known as a "moor." As the family settled in Friesland, they became part of a society deeply rooted in agriculture and maritime trade. These early ancestors navigated the social changes of the Napoleonic era, which eventually led to the formal registration of family names in 1811 and 1812. This transition helped solidify the Moorman identity as a distinct lineage within the Frisian community, reflecting a history tied to both the physical geography of the land and the evolving administrative traditions of the Dutch state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a cross engr. chequy gu. and ar”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Moorman arms are recorded
The Moorman arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Moorman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Moorman Family in England
The surname Moorman likely originated as a descriptive name for people who lived near a moor or worked on the vast, open heathlands of Northern England. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York, where records confirm family members were active residents by 1620. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and religious life, suggesting that early Moormans were likely integrated into the urban economy of the city. The name itself reflects the geography of the English landscape, as the term moor described the uncultivated, wild terrain that defined much of the northern countryside. As families moved through these regions, the name became a way to identify individuals by their proximity to these distinct natural landmarks. This connection to the land suggests that the early ancestors of the family were deeply rooted in the rural traditions of Yorkshire long before they settled within the city walls.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Moor
Derived from the Latin word Maurus referring to a dark-skinned person.
This name
MoormanAn occupational or descriptive name for a person from the moorlands or a dark-complexioned individual.
also spelled
Moreman
Related arms
Mooresame arms
Sartorius de Schwanenfeldsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fryske Histoaryske en Letterkundige Rige), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Meertens, P.J., De Nederlandse familienamen: ontstaan en betekenis, 1947
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
