A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Willer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8292 · Dutch, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de gu. sur or; l'or ch. d'un coq de sa.; au chev. d'arg. br. sur la division; et au chef d'azur, ch. de deux étoiles d'or. C.: une étoile d'or, entre un vol d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Willer arms are recorded
The Willer 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 Willer 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 Willer 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 Willer Family in Netherlands
The surname Willer carries a deep connection to the northern landscapes of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, the name was firmly established in this region, where families often lived in close-knit agricultural communities. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic roots, functioning as a descriptive term for a person who possessed a strong will or determination. During the early 1800s, Friesland was a place of significant social change, as the region navigated the transition from the Napoleonic era into the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands. Families like the Willers were part of this period of stability, often working as skilled laborers or farmers who helped shape the local economy. Because surnames were becoming more standardized during this time due to new government registration laws, the presence of the Willer name in official records from 1815 reflects a family that was well-integrated into the administrative and social life of their Frisian home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un lièvre d'arg., courant sur une colline de sin.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or. C.: un Moscovite iss., hab. d'azur à brandebourgs d'or, au rabat de gu., coiffé d'un chapeau pointu d'arg., retr. de gu., tenant de sa main dextre levée un sabre d'arg., garni d'or, et de sa sen. un bouclier d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur [Comp. Reuber et Schmidt.]”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1537
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Map of Germany showing where the Willer arms are recorded
The Willer arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1537.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Netherlands when the Willer 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Willer Family in Germany
The family name Willer traces its roots back to the Germanic regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive surname. In the German language, the name is closely associated with the Middle High German word "wille," which relates to willpower or a determined nature. By the early sixteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Willer family were established in the region of Silesia. A notable reference from 1537 places the family within this territory, which was then a crossroads of cultural and linguistic exchange under the Holy Roman Empire. During this era, families often settled in specific districts to work in trade or agriculture, and the presence of the Willer name in Silesian documents suggests they were integrated into the local social fabric of the time. As the family grew, they moved across various German-speaking lands, carrying their name through centuries of regional shifts and historical changes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wilhelm
Derived from Germanic elements meaning resolute protector or strong-willed guardian.
This name
WillerA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Will, a short form of William.
also spelled
Willerh
Wyller
Willerre
Related arms
Schmidtsame arms
de Wilrevariant spelling
Wylervariant spelling
Wyllervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registration) 1811–1950
Tresoar, Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum, Bevolkingsregisters (Population Registers)
Dijkstra, B. Friese familienamen. 1990
Meertens, P.J. De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen. 1959
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
