Map of Netherlands showing where the Pott arms are recorded
The Pott arms were recorded in Leyde, 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
Leyde
Town
Leyde
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Pott 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 Pott 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 Pott Family in Netherlands
The surname Pott has deep roots in the Netherlands, where it often originated as a descriptive occupational name. In the Dutch language, the word "pot" refers to a pot or a vessel, suggesting that early ancestors likely worked as potters or makers of earthenware goods. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the historic city of Leiden. Records from 1815 confirm their presence in this academic and industrial hub, a time when the city was transitioning from the decline of its textile industry toward new forms of commerce. During this period, families like the Potts were often integrated into the local urban fabric, contributing to the steady growth of the Dutch population following the end of the Napoleonic era. This period marked a time of administrative reform in the Netherlands, which led to more formal record-keeping of family names and civil registrations that help trace the lineage of the Pott family back to these early urban roots.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une marmite de sa. C.: la marmite, entre un vol de sa.”
Germanyc. 1744
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Map of Germany showing where the Pott arms are recorded
The Pott arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1744.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
1742–1745
Reigning in Netherlands when the Pott arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Pott Family in Germany
The surname Pott is rooted in the occupational traditions of medieval Germany, where it functioned as a descriptive name for individuals who worked with clay. It is derived from the Middle High German word "pot," which referred to a vessel or a container. During the eighteenth century, the name was well-established in the southern regions of Germany, particularly within Bavaria. By 1744, families carrying this name were active participants in the local economy and social structure of the Bavarian countryside. Because pottery was a vital trade for storing food and water in agrarian communities, those who held the name were often respected craftsmen or merchants. This history reflects the broader movement of families who defined themselves by their specialized skills and their contributions to the daily life of their local villages.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. two bars or, over all a bend of the last. Crest, granted 1583—A leopard, or ounce, sejant ppr. collared, lined, and ringed az. Another”
NorfolkLondon · Norfolk, c. 1583
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Pott arms are recorded
The Pott arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1583.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Netherlands when the Pott arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Pott Family in England
The surname Pott is rooted in the occupational and topographical naming traditions of medieval England. It likely originated as a nickname for a person who made or sold earthenware pots, or it may have described someone who lived near a small, rounded depression in the landscape known as a pot. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1583 confirm that members of the Pott family were active in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this era, families often remained in the same rural parishes for generations, working as farmers or local tradespeople. This stability allowed the name to persist in East Anglia, where it became a recognized part of the local community structure as the family expanded their influence across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pot
A vessel or container made of earthenware or metal.
This name
PottAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of earthenware pots.
also spelled
Potte
Pot
Related arms
van den Eedesimilar arms
Potvariant spelling
Potevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking in Nederland
Regionaal Archief Leiden, Bevolkingsregister van Leiden
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
