Map of Netherlands showing where the Thiel arms are recorded
The Thiel 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 Thiel 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 Thiel 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 Thiel Family in Netherlands
The surname Thiel has deep roots in the Low Countries, where it likely originated as a shortened form of names like Theodoric or Diederik. In the northern region of Friesland, the family established a documented presence by 1815, a period marked by significant changes in how the Dutch government tracked its citizens. During the early nineteenth century, the Napoleonic administration required all families to adopt fixed, hereditary surnames to improve tax collection and military conscription. While many families in Friesland had used patronymic naming systems for generations, the formal registration of the name Thiel during this era helped solidify it as a permanent family identifier. This transition reflects the broader movement toward modern civil registration in the Netherlands, which transformed how families defined their heritage and legal identity within their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à un canard d'azur; au 2 d'arg. à quatre bandes de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un canard d'azur, le vol levé, entre deux prob. coupées alt. de gu. et d'arg. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Thiel arms are recorded
The Thiel arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Thiel 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 Thiel Family in Germany
The family name Thiel originated as a shortened version of the name Dietrich, which was a common given name in medieval Germany. Over time, people began using these short forms as surnames to distinguish between different families in the same village. By the mid-18th century, the name was well-established across various German-speaking regions. Records confirm that members of the Thiel family were living in Bavaria by 1765. During this period, the family likely lived as part of the rural working class, often employed in agriculture or local trades. Life in 18th-century Bavaria was deeply influenced by the traditions of the local community and the structure of the village system. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric that defined the region, contributing to the local economy and the development of their specific towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Theodoric
Ruler of the people derived from Germanic elements meaning people and ruler.
This name
ThielA patronymic or habitational name originating from a shortened form of names like Theodoric or Diederik.
also spelled
Tiel
Thiele
Tiele
Teel
Related arms
Tielvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) records for Friesland, 1811–1815
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen: Een Historische Kijk op de Herkomst en Verspreiding, 2003
P.J. Meertens, De Betekenis van de Nederlandse Familienamen, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
duckResourcefulness on land and water
