A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adena family of Germany.
Reg. 8739 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à six grelots d'or, l'anneau en bas. C.: un vol d'azur (Arm. v. G.)”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
Where the Adena Arms Were Recorded
Westphalia
Map of Germany showing where the Adena arms are recorded
The Adena arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
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 Germany when the Adena 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Adena Family in Germany
The family name Adena finds its earliest documented roots in the Westphalia region of Germany during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within this area, which was known for its dense forests and industrious farming communities. During this period, Westphalia was part of the Holy Roman Empire and was undergoing significant social changes as local families transitioned from feudal agricultural systems to more independent trade and land management. The name likely evolved from local geographic markers or descriptive terms used to identify individuals living near specific landmarks or within small village clusters. As these early ancestors navigated the challenges of life in eighteenth-century Prussia, they contributed to the cultural and economic fabric of the region, eventually setting the foundation for the family line to expand across borders in the generations that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adal
A Germanic root word meaning noble or nobility.
This name
AdenaDerived from noble origins, often associated with grace, beauty, or a refined nature.
also spelled
Adena
Adenow
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Westfälisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Westfalen, 1765
Bielefeld, Karl, Die Geschichte der westfälischen Familiennamen, 1922
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Personenstandsregister der preußischen Provinz Westfalen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
