Map of Netherlands showing where the Posthumus arms are recorded
The Posthumus arms were recorded in Leeuwarden, 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
Leeuwarden
Town
Leeuwarden
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Posthumus 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 Posthumus 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 Posthumus Family in Netherlands
The surname Posthumus originates from the Latin word posthumus, which means born after the death of a father. In the Netherlands, this name was often given to children whose fathers passed away before their birth. By the early nineteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of Leeuwarden. Official records from 1815 confirm that members of the Posthumus family were living and working in this region during a time of significant administrative change. Because the Napoleonic Code required all citizens to adopt permanent family names, many people officially registered this descriptive term as their formal surname. This transition helped solidify the name across generations in the province of Friesland. The family history reflects the common practice of turning personal circumstances into lasting genealogical markers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Postumus
Latin term meaning last or following after.
This name
PosthumusRefers to a child born after the death of their father.
also spelled
Posthumas
Posthumes
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand Leeuwarden, 1815
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bullValour and generosity
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bullValour and generosity
