Map of Netherlands showing where the Whites arms are recorded
The Whites arms were recorded in Enkhuizen, c. 1725.
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
Enkhuizen
Town
Enkhuizen
First recorded
1725
Granting Authority for the Whites 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.
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 Whites Family in Netherlands
The family name Whites carries a rich history rooted in the maritime traditions of the Netherlands. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established in the port city of Enkhuizen, which was a major hub for the Dutch East India Company during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Because Enkhuizen served as a vital center for international trade and shipbuilding, it is likely that the family was involved in the bustling commercial life of the harbor. The name itself often functioned as a descriptive identifier in early European naming customs, frequently used to distinguish individuals based on physical traits or local associations. As the family grew within this thriving coastal community, they became part of the intricate social fabric of a city defined by its deep connection to the North Sea and global commerce.
Whites Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wit
A Dutch adjective meaning white or fair-haired.
This name
WhitesA descriptive surname originally used to identify someone with a very fair complexion or light-colored hair.
also spelled
Wytz
Witz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Westfries Archief, Doop-, trouw- en begraafboeken (DTB) Enkhuizen
Westfries Archief, Archief van de stad Enkhuizen
Diederik Aten, Als het tij verloopt: de geschiedenis van Enkhuizen, 2000
P.H.D. Leupen, Enkhuizen: van nederzetting tot stad, 1975
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
hedgehogA provident provider
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
hedgehogA provident provider
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
