A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pietersen family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1965 · Dutch, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
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)
“D'arg. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois coquilles du même; au chef du premier, ch. d'un lièvre courant et reg. d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un oiseau iss. et ess. d'arg. S.: à dextre une aigle de sa.; à sen. un griffon d'or.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Pietersen arms are recorded
The Pietersen arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
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 Pietersen 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 Pietersen 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 Pietersen Family in Netherlands
The surname Pietersen is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Pieter. This naming tradition was very common in the Netherlands, especially in the northern province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, families in this region began to adopt more permanent surnames to comply with changing government registration laws. Records from 1815 show that the Pietersen name was firmly established among families living in the Frisian countryside. At this time, many people in Friesland worked as farmers or tradespeople, and they often passed their father’s given name down through generations as a way to maintain family identity. Because the name is based on the popular name Pieter, it reflects a long history of Dutch naming customs where a person's identity was closely tied to their immediate ancestry and local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Petrus
A Greek name meaning stone or rock.
This name
PietersenA patronymic surname meaning son of Peter.
also spelled
Pyeterson
Pietersen
Peeterson
Peterson
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
