Map of Netherlands showing where the Wehrman arms are recorded
The Wehrman 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 Wehrman 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 Wehrman 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 Wehrman Family in Netherlands
The surname Wehrman originates from the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it functioned as a descriptive occupational or status-based name. The root word "Wehr" relates to defense or protection, suggesting that early ancestors may have served as guards, watchmen, or soldiers tasked with securing local settlements. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the coastal region of Friesland. During this period, the area was undergoing significant social and administrative changes following the Napoleonic era, which led to the formalization of civil registration and standardized naming practices. As these families lived in a landscape defined by dikes and maritime trade, the name likely reflected a long-standing commitment to the security and maintenance of their community’s vital infrastructure.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
werra
Old Germanic term referring to defense, protection, or a guardian.
This name
WehrmanA person who served as a guard or defender of a specific location.
also spelled
Worman
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) records for the province of Friesland, 1811–1950
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Bevolkingsregisters (Population Registers) of Friesland
Dijkstra, B., Friese familienamen, 1995
Van der Meer, G., Naamgeving in Friesland: Een historisch overzicht, 2002
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
