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Extensive list with short descriptions of old Dutch/ Belgian cubic-, linear-, square measures, weights and masses and other units |
Old Dutch Coins, Prices and Wages: links |
Volume | Area | Distance | Mass |
Okshoofd Anker Aam Stoop Mingel (Mengel) Pint Schepel Last |
| Roede
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Cor Snabel The Netherlands, May 5, 2002 |
NB! All these words below are mainly based on words found in an extensive list of genealogical words, compiled by Andre Dumont. These words were found in old documents by him and other amateur genealogists and thus can be regarded as rather trustful, but, do keep in mind that: 4. The list you'll find below is extensive but yet not complete. There still are many local, regional terms which are not listed (yet). |
morgen | Words marked bold/red are measures and weights also found in New Netherlands |
Name | Liquid | Description |
Aam, aem, ama, hama | Wine, beer- and oil | 1 aam = 1/6 vat = 4 anker = 1.552 hl |
Anker, ancre, ancheria | Wine, beer, gin | 1 anker = 1/4 aam, abt 37,5 ltr 1 anker = 16 stoop 1 anker = 45-46 fles Also unit of weight (fish) |
Baduit, beduit | 1 baduit = 1/4 kan en abt 0,4 ltr. Predominantly in prov.of Noord-Brabant | |
Biertje | Beer | 1 biertje = 1 ltr. |
Fles | Wine | 1 fles = abt.0,8 ltr. Amsterdamse fles = abt.. 0,88 ltr. or 44 fles in an anker |
Fuite | 1 fuite = 5 kan = 7 - 10 ltr. | |
Gelte, ghelte | 1 gelte = 1/48 aam | |
Kan | For dry goods as well | 1 kan = 80 -112 kan per aam = 1,4 -2 ltr |
Kinnetje, kimmetje, kin | For (semi) liquid goods like butter For dry goods as well | 1 kinnetjer = 1/4 ton |
Kroes | 1 kroes = 1/120 ton = 1,4 ltr. Also known as 'pullemaat' | |
Kwart | Also for cereals | 1 kwart = 3/4 kroes = 1,05 ltr |
Melkmengel | Milk? | 1 melkmengel = 2 mengel abt. 1.8 ltr |
Mengel(e), mingel(e) | 1 mengel = 2 pint, =0,5 stoop 1 mengel = 1 1/8 ltr | |
Mutsje | 1 mutsje =1/8 mengel, = abt. 0,15 ltr | |
Okshoofd | Wine | 1 okshoofd =1/2 vat or voeder =abt 230-240 ltr 1 okshoofd = 6 ankers = 220 ltr. |
Oord | 1 oord = 2 kan, = 2 mengel = 0,6 ltr | |
Paartje | Wine, beer | 1 paartje = 2 pint = abt. 1,2 ltr |
Pint | Also for cereals and other dry goods | 1 pint = 2 stoop= 4 mutsjes = abt. 0,6 ltr. 1 pint (wine) = 1.145 ltr/ 1pint (beer) = 1.085 ltr (found in French Flanders only) |
Potje | 1 potje = abt. 1/16 kan | |
Pullemaat | 1 pullemaat = 1/120 ton = 1,4 ltr. Also known as 'kroes' | |
Pijp | Wine, oil and other liq. | 1 pijp has many varying, regional determined volumes |
Sester | Oil | 1 sester = 40 mengel |
Steekan | 1 steekan = 1/8 aam =16 mengel = abt. 18,75 ltr | |
Stoop | 1 stoop = 2 mengel = abt. 2,4 ltr 1 stoop = 2 potten = 4 pinten 1 Amsterdamse stoop = 2.425 ltr Many local, regional variations | |
Travelton | Beer | 1 travelton = abt. 120 ltr |
Vat | Beer, wine | 1 vat = abt. 900 ltr Local and regional variations: 1 amsterdams vat = 4 okshoofd = 6 aam =24 anker = 9 31 ltr From 1820 :1 hectoliter |
Vingerhoed | Abt. 1 centiliter | |
Name | Dry goods | Description |
achel, acheel, achtendeel | cereals | 1 achel =1/8 zal en 1/8 hl. |
aertmate | cereals | 1 aertmate = 3,677 decaliter |
amsterdamse graanlast | 1 amsterdamse graanlast = 27 mud = 36 zak = 108 schepel = 30.04 hectoliter | |
bak | cereals | 1 bak = 1/4 mud, = 4 spint, also found1/4 hl. |
berrieleggers-mate | cereals | 1 berrieleggers-mate for cereal = 2,572 ltr. |
botjesmaat | cereals | 1 botjesmaat = 0,32 ltr. |
eltken(found in Bruges, Belgium only) | corn | 128 eltken = 1 hoet = 172 ltr |
emmer | 1 emmer = 1/4 vat, = 1/5 aam = abt 30 ltr. Found also Amsterdamse emmer = 2 gang = abt 14,7 ltr. In Groningen and Drente also square measure | |
franckaert | cereals | 1 franckaert = 15 2 ltr. |
halfkopmaat | cereals | 1 halfkopmaat = 1/256 lopen |
halfmaat | cereals | 1 halfmaat = halfscheidhelft, half 1/64 lopen (Leeuwarder stedemaat) |
halfstedemaat | cereals | 1 halfstedemaat = 1/128 lopen (Leeuwarder stedemaat) |
halfvandel, halfvierendeel | cereals | 1 halfvandel = 1/8 lopen |
halster | cereals | Many local and regional variations |
hoed, hoet | cereals, coal | Many local and regional variations: Zuid Holland/Zeeland 1 hoed = 100 3 ltr. Zeeuws Vlaanderen 1 hoed = 200 ltr. 1 Amsterdamse hoed = 38 maat =11.72 hectoliter |
honderd | cereals, salt | salt: abt. 18500-20000 ltr graan, abt 13000-17000 ltr. Also square measure |
hoppevat | drafkuip, 1 hoppevat = 232 gelten grain | |
kan | cereals | 1 kan =1/64 zak |
kinnetje, kimmetje, kin | potatoes, fruits | abt 1/8 ton |
kop, kopmaat | peas, potatoes, butter etc | 1 kop = 1/4 vat = 4,7 ltr |
korf | fruits | 1 korf = .... ltr. Also linear measure |
kruis | dry chalk | abt 1733 ltr, later also 10 hl. (Flanders) |
kruisschepel | cereals | 1 kruisschepel = 2 mud = abt 29-34 ltr. |
kwart, quart | cereals | 1 kwart = 1meuken = 4 kwartieren |
kwartier, quartier | inhoudsmaat speciaal voor koren en zout graanmaat, 1 kwartier = 1/4 meuken, 1/4 lopen, 1/4 achel, 1/4 maat | |
kwartier, quartier | 1 kwartier = 1/4 honderd. | |
groot kwartier klein kwartier | 24 vat of 96 maat 6 vat of 24 maat | |
last | cereals herring | 1 last = abt. 3010 ltr. After1820 : 3000 ltr. 1 (zee)last = abt. 1694 ltr. 1 (gepakte)last = abt 1452 ltr. |
loop | cereals, salt | 1 loop = (kleine)graanmaat = 1/4 zak/viertel also 1/16 mud, 1 loop = (grootte)graanmaat =1/36 last |
maatje | mostlycereals | 1 maatje = 2 spint. Also 1/8 spint found Zutphen 1 maatje = 1/2 spint Deventer 1 maatje = 1/8 spint |
malder, molder, molt | cereals | 1 malder = 1/22 last. Also found: 1/18 last and 2 mud and 1/4 mud. Also found: kleine(= small) Gelderse malder = abt 125 ltr.and a grote (=large)Gelderse malder of abt 137 ltr. |
meuke | cereals | 1 meuke = 1/4 zak |
molenvat (found in Belgium only) | cereals | 1 molenvat = 1/10 halster = 1/120 mud = 2.43 ltr Leuven: 1 molenvat = 1/2 halster = 2 kwarten = 1/16 mud = 3.65 ltr |
mouwer | corn | korenmaat, 1 mouwer = 2 mud = 8 lopen |
mud, mudde, mut | cereals | Many local, regional variations 1 mud = 4 schepel, abt 430 tot 630 ltr After 1820 1 hectoliter |
paplepel | 1 paplepel = 8 cm3 | |
pint | cereals and other dry goods | 1pint =1/35 schepel Also found: 1/2 kan and 1/128 zak. Also liquid cubic measure |
razier (found in Belgium only) | corn | 1 razier (corn)= 4 spinten = 8 achtendelen = 146.8 ltr razier often synonym to razier |
schepel | cereals | 1 schepel = 2 mud = abt 29-34 ltr. |
sister (found in Belgium only) | corn oats | 1 sister (corn) = 1/6 mud = 2 halster = 4 quarters = 20 molenvaten = 48.76 ltr 1 sister (oats) = 51.46 ltr sister often synonym to razier |
somer, sommer, summer | cereals | 1 somer = 1/3 malder, = 2 vat |
spint | cereals | 1 spint =1/2 schepel = abt 2.5-8,5 ltr Many, many local, regional variations Also square measure |
stere, sterre | 1 stere = 1 m3 loosely piled fire-wood, double stere = 2 m3 | |
taak | cereals, wine | (cereal)1 taak = 1/4 schepe (wine)1 taak = 1/40 aam and 2 2 kan |
vandel | cereals | 1 vandel = 1/4 lopen, also 16 stedemaat |
viertel, veertel | corn | 1 viertel = 2 meukens, kwarten =1/24 mud |
zeeuwse lepel | 1 zeeuwse lepel = 15 cm3 | |
Name | Description | |
Akker | 1 akker= 7m Also square measure | |
Amsterdamse voet | 1 Amsterdamse-voet = 0.283133 m | |
Duim | 1 Duim = 2,54 cm. Based on the width of the human thumb | |
El, elle | 1 el = ca 70 cm. Based originally on the length measured from top middle-finger to the elbow Many regional variations: 1 amsterdamse el = 68.78 cm 1 Brabantse el = 69.23 cm 1 Delfse el = 68.32 cm | |
Kabellengte | 1 kabellengte = 125-150 vadem, vaam In the end of the 19th century: 225 m. | |
Korf | 1 korf = 0,5-0,6 m1 Also cubic measure | |
Koningsroede | Abt. 10 voet | |
Landmeeterspas, -stap, -tree | 1 stap = 5 voet of 11 duim. Also 2 gemene pas | |
Lijn, linie, line | Many regional variations. Found in documents: 1/8, 1/10 1/12 duim Also square measure | |
Palm | Kleine (=small)palm = 3 cm, Grote (=large)palm = 9,6 cm, after 1820 1palm =10 cm Originally the width of the 4 fingers of a hand next to eachother | |
Pas, gemene pas, schrede, tree | 1 pas = 2,5 voet landmeterspas, -tree = 2 gemene pas = 5 voet | |
Roede | 1 roede = 3.5- 4 m Roede in other languages. | |
Schrede | 1 schrede = 2,5 voet, landmeterspas,-tree = 2 gemene schrede = 5 voet | |
Span | 1 span = 1dm Originally the width measured between the top of the thumb and the little finger with all fingers spread | |
Streep | 1 streep = 1 mm. Unofficially still in use by carpenters | |
Taille | 1 taille = 1/16 el | |
Timmermansvoet | 1 timmermansvoet = 33 1/3 cm (West Friesland, N.H.) | |
Tuindersvoet | 1 tuindersvoet = 28 cm (West Friesland, NH) | |
Vaam, vadem | 1 vadem, vaam = abt. 6 amsterdamse voet (for use at land) 1 vadem, vaam = 6 (Dutch)rijnlandse voeten = 1.883679 m.(shipping) Originally the width measured between the top of the middle-fingers, with the two arms stretched sideward. In other languages: Flemish: vaem English: fathom French: brasse marine German: faden Danish: favn Swedish: famn Spanish: braza, brazada Italian: bracciata Portuguese: braça Also cubic measure for pile of wood | |
Voet | 1 voet = 12duim = abt. 29,45 cm After 1806 the Rijnlandse voet was officially 0.3139465 m | |
Voorling | Abt.55 roede Also square measure | |
Name | Description | |
Akker | 1 akker = 0,05 ha | |
Amersade, emmersade | 1 amersade = 1/6 gras = 0,066 ha = 0,05 ha | |
Ans, einze, uncia | 1 ans =1/12 pondemaat = 0.0 3 ha | |
Arpent | Old square measure: further data unknown | |
Bunder | 1 bunder = abt. 400-450 square roede. Also seen: 2 bunder = 3 morgen 1 bunder = abt. 4 dagwand Local and regional variations | |
Dachmael, dagwand, dagmaat | Often used for hay-lands, grass-land and green-lands | 1 dachmael = 1/4 bunder = 110 square roede Originally land which could be ploughed in one day Local and regional variations |
Deim(p)t, deimat | Found: square surfaces up to 400 square roede. Also found: 0,4-0,8 ha Originally the area which could be mowed in one day. Local and regional variations | |
Emmer | 1 emmer = 1/6 gras =0,066 ha (in Groningen and Drente) Also cubic measure | |
Gee, giede | 1 gee = 1/6 morgen | |
Geers | Abt. 0,3017 ha Originally the quantity of graas-land needed to feed 1 cow. Local and regional variations | |
Gemet, met | 1 gemet is abt. 0,4 ha = 300 square roeden or equal to 1 english acre Local and regional variations: 1 rijnlanse gemet = 0.4258 ha 1 Blooise gemet = 0.3924 ha 1 schouwse gemet = 0.4168 ha 1 duivelandse gemet= 0.4034 ha | |
Gras, gres, gors, gars | Abt. 0,3017 ha Local and regional variations | |
Grase | square measure for grass-land | |
Grote roede | Abt. 0,04 ha (Limburg) | |
Herendeimt | Found: 0.44 ha | |
Herenmud | 1 herenmud is abt. 375 square Rijnlandse roede = abt. 0,54 ha Herenmud was the word used to return the taxable area. | |
Hoeve | 1 hoeve = 162 morgen = abt. 14 ha. | |
Hond, hont | 1 hond = 100 square roede. Also found: 1/6 morgen, 1/5 morgen. Many local and regional variations | |
(Groot)Honderd (Klein)Honderd | 1 (groot)honderd = 300 square roede = abt. 0,70 ha. 1 (kleine) honderd = abt. 200-240 square roede = 0,30-0,35 ha Local and regional variations Also cubic measure and measure of quantity | |
Hooimaat, hooimade | 1 hooimaat = 1/ 3 gemet, ook 1/9 bunder = 0,14 ha | |
Koegras | Abt. 2 ha. (Friesland) Originally the area of grass-land needed for 1 cow | |
Kopzaad, kopse(nd) | 1 kopzaat = 1/4 lopenzaat = 12 square roede | |
Loop, loopzaad | 1 loop = 50 vierkante roede = 1/8 bunder (Southern Netherland) Also cubic measure | |
(Klein) lopens(e) | 1 kleine lopens = 33 1/3 square roede | |
Lijn, linie, line | 1 lijn = 1/6 morgen of 100 square roede Also linear measure | |
Mergen, morgen | Abt. 0.8 -1 ha. | |
Meuke(n) Found in Oudenaarde, Belgium only. | 1 meuke(n) = ca 0.00 3584 hectare Also Cubic measure (dry goods) | |
Mourik | 1 mourik = 25 square roede; also seen1/4 hond | |
Mud(de) | 1 mud = 0,43-0,8 ha.Originally the area of land which could be sowed with 40 mud of cereal (Flanders). | |
Mudzaat, mutsaet | 1 mudzaad = 16 vatzaad = 12 lopenzaad | |
Penning | 1 penning = 1/240 pondemaat (Friesland); synonym to 1 square koningsroede Also unit of weight | |
Pondemaat, pond, pinsoen | 1 pondemaat = = 240 square koningsroede = 0,3674 ha. (Friesland) After 1812, 1 pondmaat = 0,3674 ha | |
Roede | 1 roede=14-15 m2 Many local and regional variations Also linear measure | |
Schaar, scheerweide | 1 schaar= abt. 300-400 square roede = abt. 0,4-0,65 ha. Also found: 2 morgen | |
Schat | 1 schat = 1 mud = 6,8 are | |
Schepel | 1 schepel = 1 schat = 1 mud = 6,8 are. Also found: 1 schepel = 4 spint, 1/4 mud and 1/4 morgen Also cubic measure (dry) | |
Snees | 1 snees = abt. 2,5138 centiare. 1 ha = 3.5 geers = 42 snees Also unit of quantity (f.i. egg's or fish) | |
Spint | 1 spint = 1,7 are. Also cubic measure | |
Vatzaad | 1 vatzaad = 1/16 mudzaat 1 vatzaad = 50 roeden = 0.1679 hectare (found in Dendermonde, Belgium) | |
Vierkante roede (vierkant = square) | 1 vierkante roede = 1/10 spint = 17 m2 | |
Voet | 1 voet = abt. 0,09 centiare Also linear measure | |
Name | Description | |
Aas, aes | 1 aas =1/10240 pond = abt.0,047 gram Also found: 1 aes = 1/ 32 engels = abt.0,05 gram Smallest unit of weight in the old system | |
Amsterdamse mark | 1 amsterdamse mark = 247,045 gram | |
Anker, ancre, ancheria | fish | 1 anker = abt. 30 -50 kg. Also cubic measure |
Centenaar | 1 centenaar = 100 (old) pond, abt. 49,5 kg. After 1820 the not official name for 100 kg | |
Deuske | 1deuske = 2aas = 0,096 gram | |
Engels | 1 engels = 1/20 once =1,538 gram | |
Koehooi | 1 koehooi = 14x7x7 voet = abt. 2500 kg fresh or 2000 kg dry hay Many local and regional variations | |
Korrel | Abt. 1decigram | |
Lood | 1 lood =1/32 pond = abt.14 gram. In the metric system 10 gram | |
Once, onche, unche, ons | 1 once = 1/16 pond = abt. 31 gram | |
Penning | 1 penning = 1/240 or 1/270 pond Also known as square measure | |
Pond | 1 pond = 4 vierendeel = 16 ons, = 404-494 gram | |
Quintaal | 1 quintaal = abt. 1/22 last | |
Scheepslast | 1 scheepslast = 4000 amsterdamse pond = 1976.4 kg. | |
Schippond | 1 schippond = 300 pond | |
Schoot | 1 schoot = 2 pond | |
Steen | 1steen = 8 pond. Also found 6 pond | |
Troois, Trooise mark | 1 troois(e)(mark) = 246,084 gram. 1 trooise mark can be subdivided in: 1 mark Troois = 8 onzen = 246,084 gram. 1 ons = 20 engels = 30,76 gram. 1 engels = 32 azen = 1,538 gram. 1 aas = 0,0481 gram. | |
Wichtje | 1 wichtje = abt. 1gram | |
Gold & silver weights | 1pondt = 2 mark Troys = 16 once (Brussels weight) 1 once Troys = 20 Engelschen troys 1 Engelschen Troys = 32 aeskens 1 fierlick = 8 aeskens 1 troyken = 4 aeskens 1 deusken = 2 aeskens | |
Pharmaceutical weights | 1 pondt = 12 oncen 1 once = 8 drachmen = 2 lood 1 drachme = 2 siseyn = 3 scrupelen = abt.3.9 gram 1 scrupel = 1/528 pond = 20 granen (grein) = 2 obolen 1 obole = 3 siliquen 1 silique = 4 greinen 1 grein of aesken =1 terwegraen 1 terwegraen = 1/20 scrupel 1 scrupel =1/3 drachme | |
Town weighhouse weights | 1 wage of poose =144 pondt 1 steen = 8 1/4 pondt, 3 steen = 25 pondt 1 centeneer = 100 pondt Local and regional variations | |
Name | Description | |
(Groot)honderd | quantity | 1 (groot)honderd = 120-144 pieces |
(Klein) honderd | quantity | 1 (kleine) honderd = c 96-101 stuks |
Hoop | quantity(straw) | 1 hoop = 10 geluykens = 1 tierling = 10 bundels |
Band | circumference | 1 band (of reed) = 33 cm (thick,large) or 24 cm (thin, small) |
Pook, poke | 1 pook, poke = 1/3 scarpelier | |
Roede | quantity (peat) | 1 roede peat = abt. 450 pieces of peat Also linear and square measure |
Stieg, stijg | quantity (a.o. eggs) | 1 stieg (eggs) = 20 eggs |
Stro | quantity(fish) | 1 stro herring = 500 herrings. 20 stro = 1 last |
Uur gaans | distance | 1 uur gaans = abt. 5 km. Equal to 1500 rijnlandse roeden = 5621m. |
Balie | balie | |
West Friesland (northern part of the province of Noord-Holland) | Square measures Linear measures: |
Province of Drenthe | Drentse roede = 4,12 meter and divided into 14 voeten 1 voet = 29,45 cm (= 12 duim) 1 duim = 2,45 cm 1 mudde = 27,2 are 1 morgen = 3,5 mud = 95,2 are 1 dagmaat = 66 are 1 dagmaat = 400 square roeden. 1 schat = 6,8 are 1 spint = 1,7 are |
Pre 1806 period | The old not standarized system of -local- measures and weights as described above | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1806 (Louis Napoleons arrival in the Kingdom of Holland) | Hesitating, half and half introduction of the French metric system: 1.Rijnlandse roede divided into 10 parts, not 12, but still representing the old value of 3,767 m. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1810 (The Kingdom of Holland part of France) | Metric system officially introduced in the Netherlands and Belgium but in popular speech the use of the old words remained | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1813 (Withdrawal of the French. The arrival of Willem I on Dutch territory. The Netherlands a Kingdom again -together with Belgium) | Goodbye to the metric system. The old system in use again. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1820 -1873
| The Compromise:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1873
| Adoption of the Napoleontic names -not only the values- of the Metric System: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1937 | Officially prohibited by law to use the names of the Old System. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Weights
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Convert
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Measures
and currencies in use in the 17th- and 18th century in Andel (province of Noord-Brabant) |
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A
Genealogical Perspective of Dutch Coinage (c1568-1795) (Article by by JW. Koten.Originally published in Ons Erfgoed, year 11, issue 6, November-December 2003 Delft, Uitgeverij Alvo, 2003) |
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Herengracht Amsterdam. Real estate values from 1628-1973. Abstract can also be downloaded as a PDF file | Economic History Services: How Much is that? |