A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Reese family of Netherlands.
martletA younger son, who must win his own landJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à trois oiseaux au nat. C.: un oiseau.”
The Reese arms were recorded in Pays-Bas, 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
Reigning in Netherlands when the Reese arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Reese has deep roots in the northern regions of Europe, particularly within the coastal province of Friesland. By the year 1815, families bearing this name were well-established in the area, living through a period of significant political change as the Netherlands transitioned into a kingdom. The name itself is often linked to the Old Germanic word for a giant or a strong person, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their physical stature or bold character. As these families lived in a region defined by its unique language and maritime culture, they likely worked as farmers, traders, or sailors who navigated the complex waterways of the North Sea coast. Over generations, the name became a permanent fixture of the local community, reflecting the resilience of the people who called the Frisian lands their home during the nineteenth century.
Derived from the Welsh word for enthusiasm or ardor.
