A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pels family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6365 · Dutch, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 saut. comp. d'arg. et de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'une quartefeuille d'or. C.: un buste de Janus, hab. d'azur (ou de gu.) à brandebourgs d'or, les visages de carn.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Pels Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Pels arms are recorded
The Pels 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 Pels 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 Pels 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 Pels Family in Netherlands
The surname Pels has deep roots in the Netherlands, where it functioned as a descriptive name often linked to the trade of furs or skins. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the bustling city of Amsterdam, a period defined by the transition from the Napoleonic era to the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. During this time, families like the Pels were often involved in the city’s vibrant mercantile culture, which relied heavily on trade networks and urban craftsmanship. Because Amsterdam was a major global port, the name became associated with the middle-class growth that characterized the city’s recovery after 1815. Members of the family were likely part of the dense social fabric of the capital, contributing to the local economy and the civic life of a nation that was rapidly modernizing its administrative and population records.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à une tour hexagone de gu., crén. du même.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Pels Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Pels arms are recorded
The Pels arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Netherlands when the Pels 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Pels Family in France
The family name Pels has deep roots in the border regions of northern France and the historical territory of Flanders. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Pels family were well-established in the Flemish lands, a region that frequently shifted between French and Spanish control during the seventeenth century. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word "pels" refers to fur or a pelt in the local dialects of the Low Countries. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been involved in the lucrative fur trade or the textile industry, which were the primary economic drivers of the region at that time. As the family moved across the fluid borders of the era, they integrated into the local communities of northern France, maintaining their presence through generations of agricultural and mercantile work. Their history reflects the complex cultural exchange between the French-speaking populations and their Flemish neighbors during a period of significant political transformation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pellis
Latin term referring to skin, hide, or pelt.
This name
PelsAn occupational name for a furrier, tanner, or someone who dealt in animal skins.
also spelled
Pelse
Pelsse
Pelsz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
Van der Schaar, Jo. Woordenboek van voornamen. 1983
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
