A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aichinger family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7904 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Coupé: au 1 parti: a. de gu. à la tour d'arg., ouv. du champ; b. d'or au renard ramp. de gu., soutenu d'un tertre de sin.; au 2 bandé de quatre pièces: d'arg., de gu., d'or et de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un chevalier iss., arm. de toutes pièces, au nat., tenant une épée, entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'arg. sur gu., à sen. de sa. sur or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
Where the Aichinger Arms Were Recorded
Franconia
Map of Germany showing where the Aichinger arms are recorded
The Aichinger arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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 Aichinger 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Aichinger Family in Germany
The family name Aichinger is a topographic surname that originated in the southern German-speaking regions, specifically derived from the Middle High German word "eiche," meaning oak tree. Historically, the name was used to identify individuals who lived near a prominent oak forest or a specific landmark featuring oak trees. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a documented presence in the Franconia region of Germany, a territory known for its complex history of independent bishoprics and small principalities. During this era, families like the Aichingers were often tied to the land through agricultural labor or local craftsmanship, moving within the rural landscapes of the Holy Roman Empire. As the name spread across these German lands, it evolved from a simple description of a person's home into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations of settlers in the Franconian countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 une panthère ramp. d'arg., jetant des flammes par la bouche et les oreilles, soutenue d'un rocher de gu. et tenant de ses pattes un trident d'or, les dents terminés en fer de flèche; à la bord. d'or, ch. en haut d'une étoile d'azur, et de trois glands au nat., 2 en flancs et 1 en p., les queues en bas. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° la panthère, iss.; 1. d'arg. et d'azur; 2° un vol à l'antique, l'aile de devant d'azur ch. d'une bande d'or, l'aile de derrière d'or ch. d'une bande d'azur; L. d'or et d'azur. D.: PERSEVERARE.”
Austriac. 1871
Where the Aichinger Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Aichinger arms are recorded
The Aichinger arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1871.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
First recorded
1871
Granting Authority for the Aichinger Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Germany when the Aichinger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Aichinger Family in Austria
The surname Aichinger is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on the landscape where they lived. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "eiche," meaning oak, combined with a suffix that denotes a person who lives near a specific place. In this case, an Aichinger was someone who resided near an oak forest or a grove of oak trees. By the 19th century, families carrying this name were well-established across the Austrian landscape, including the mountainous region of Tyrol. Because many families in this era were tied to the land through farming or forestry, the name served as a practical way to distinguish individuals in small, rural communities. As these families moved or grew, the name spread through the Alpine valleys, marking their long-standing connection to the natural environment of the Austrian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eiche
A large deciduous tree belonging to the genus Quercus.
This name
AichingerA topographic name for someone who lived near an oak tree or an oak forest.
also spelled
Aiching
Aikinger
Ikinguer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken, 1765
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
foxWit and wisdom in defence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
foxWit and wisdom in defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
