Map of Netherlands showing where the Pfost arms are recorded
The Pfost 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 Pfost 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 Pfost 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 Pfost Family in Netherlands
The family name Pfost originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe and is traditionally classified as a topographic surname. In the Middle Ages, the term was often used to describe someone who lived near a specific post, pillar, or boundary marker that served as a local landmark. By the early 19th century, members of the family had established a presence in Amsterdam. This migration was likely part of the broader movement of people across Northern Europe during the period following the Napoleonic Wars. As the family settled in the Netherlands, they integrated into the local urban culture while maintaining the linguistic roots of their ancestral name. This transition from rural Germanic origins to the bustling trade environment of Amsterdam highlights the family's adaptability during a time of significant social and political change in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Post
A wooden pillar or stake used as a boundary marker.
This name
PfostAn occupational name for someone who lived near a boundary post or worked as a gatekeeper.
also spelled
Poste
Postt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1811-1850, Record series 5001
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
