A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adler family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9517 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé de gu. sur or; à l'aigle de l'un en l'autre. C.: un vol, coupé d'or sur gu.”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
Where the Adler Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Adler arms are recorded
The Adler arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, c. 1765.
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 Adler 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Adler Family in Germany
The surname Adler is a classic example of a German occupational or descriptive name that evolved during the Middle Ages. In the German language, the word means eagle, and it was often adopted by families to signify strength, keen vision, or a connection to a specific location marked by that symbol. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was well-established among German-speaking populations, including the community in Ratisbonne, which is known today as Regensburg. Historical records confirm that members of the Adler family were living and working in Ratisbonne by 1765. During this era, families in the region were often integrated into the local trade guilds or civic administrations of the city. As the family grew, they contributed to the urban culture of Bavaria, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and social development seen across German lands during the Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. two bends erm. on a canton ar. a lion ramp. of the first”
EssexHaverstoke · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Adler Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Adler arms are recorded
The Adler arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Adler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Essex.
Origin & History of the Adler Family in England
The surname Adler has deep roots in the Germanic languages, where it translates directly to the word for eagle. While the name is often associated with Central Europe, records confirm that members of the Adler family were established in the English county of Essex by the year 1620. During this period, Essex was a hub of agricultural activity and trade, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities. Early Adlers in England likely integrated into local parish life, where their name was recorded in church registers during baptisms, marriages, and burials. Because the name was distinct from many common English surnames of the time, it suggests that these early settlers maintained a strong connection to their ancestral heritage while adapting to the social and economic landscape of seventeenth-century England. Over time, these families contributed to the local history of the region, leaving behind a trail of documents that trace their presence from small rural communities to broader English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adal
An Old High German term meaning noble or of noble descent.
This name
AdlerA topographic or habitational name referring to a house marked by an eagle sign.
also spelled
Adeler
Adlar
Adlare
Related arms
Adelervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Barth, Medard. Der Adler: Geschichte und Bedeutung eines Namens. 1962
Stadtarchiv Regensburg. Bürgeraufnahme- und Zunftprotokolle der Stadt Regensburg. 1765
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
