Map of Netherlands showing where the Paulus arms are recorded
The Paulus arms were recorded in Zeeland, c. 1815.
Zeeland was a scatter of islands in the south-west of the Netherlands, living on the sea and on land reclaimed from it. Families who drained and held that land were counted among the gentry, and gentry 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.
Region
Zeeland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Paulus 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 Paulus 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 Zeeland.
Origin & History of the Paulus Family in Netherlands
The surname Paulus finds its roots in the Latin name Paulus, which translates to small or humble. In the Netherlands, this name evolved from a common given name into a hereditary family surname as people began adopting fixed last names to distinguish themselves in growing communities. By the early 19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the province of Zeeland. This region was a center for maritime trade and agriculture, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early family members. Records from 1815 confirm that the Paulus family was well-integrated into the local social fabric of Zeeland during a time when the Netherlands was transitioning into a modern kingdom. These early ancestors were part of a period of significant administrative change, as the government began to standardize civil registration and record-keeping for all citizens.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois gerbes d'or.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Paulus arms are recorded
The Paulus arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the Paulus arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Paulus Family in France
The name Paulus carries a deep connection to the Latin word for small or humble, a term that gained widespread recognition across Europe through the influence of early Christian history. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Bretagne, France. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Paulus family were active participants in the social and economic life of this coastal province. During this era, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers, artisans, or merchants. Because the name was tied to a common Latin root, it likely spread through the region as a way to distinguish individuals within local parish registers. These early ancestors helped shape the local culture of their villages, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the steady growth of families in western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Paulus Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Paulus
Latin for small or humble.
This name
PaulusDerived from the Roman cognomen indicating a person of small stature.
also spelled
Paullus
Paulos
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen in Nederland, 1956
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Zeeuws Archief, Burgerlijke Stand Zeeland 1811-1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
