Map of Netherlands showing where the Shade arms are recorded
The Shade 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 Shade 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 Shade 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 Shade Family in Netherlands
The family name Shade carries a distinct history rooted in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the year 1815, records confirm that members of the Shade family were established residents in this area. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes following the Napoleonic era, which led to the formal registration of surnames for tax and census purposes. Because the name appears in Frisian records during this time, it suggests that the family was part of the local community that transitioned into standardized civil registration. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic or Frisian linguistic roots, reflecting the naming customs of the northern coastal regions where families were often identified by their trade, location, or a descriptive personal trait. As the family settled into Frisian life, they became part of the social fabric of a region known for its unique language and independent cultural traditions.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
helmetWisdom and security in defence
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un casque d'arg., taré de trois quarts, sommé d'un brl. d'or, de gu. et d'arg., et supp. trois banderoles, 1 à dextre d'arg. et 2 à sen. d'or et de gu. C.: six banderoles, trois à dextre d'arg., d'or et de gu., et trois à sen. d'arg., d'or et de gu. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Shade arms are recorded
The Shade arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Shade 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Shade Family in Germany
The surname Shade finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of the German language, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In the region of Westphalia, the name appeared in official records as early as 1765, reflecting a time when families were deeply tied to the local agricultural landscape. During the eighteenth century, the name was often associated with individuals who lived near shaded areas or forests, a common practice for identifying people before formal census records were standardized. As the family established itself in Westphalia, they became part of the rural community structure that defined the social order of the Holy Roman Empire. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople whose daily lives were shaped by the seasonal rhythms of the German countryside. Over time, the name persisted through generations, moving from a simple descriptor into a formal family identity that eventually spread beyond the borders of their original Westphalian home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schade
Middle Low German term for damage, harm, or a person causing trouble.
This name
ShadeA descriptive nickname for an individual perceived as harmful, troublesome, or unlucky.
also spelled
Shada
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Meertens Instituut), Database van familienamen in Nederland
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
cross symbolChristian faith and service
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
helmetWisdom and security in defence
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
