A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Albert family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Tiercé en pal: de sa., d'arg. et d'azur.”
The Albert arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Albert arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The surname Albert traces its roots to the ancient Germanic name Adalbert, which combines the words for noble and bright. While the name was popular across Europe during the Middle Ages, it became firmly established in the southern regions of France as families settled into local communities. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was well-documented in the city of Toulouse. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Albert family were active participants in the social and professional life of this historic hub. During this era, Toulouse was a center for trade and legal administration, providing a stable environment for families to grow and pass down their names through generations. The presence of the family in this region reflects the broader movement of people who helped shape the cultural identity of Languedoc during the reign of King Louis XIV.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
bombOne who has faced a great siege
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sownJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coupé: au 1 de sa. à une bombe allumée, cant. de quatre étoiles, le tout d'or; au 2 de gu. à deux faux d'or, passées en saut., les fers affr.; et une gerbe d'or, br. sur les faux.”
The Albert arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Reigning in France when the Albert arms are first recorded.
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.
The name Albert originates from the ancient Germanic name Adalbert, which combines the words for noble and bright. During the Middle Ages, this name became very popular across German-speaking lands because it was associated with saints and royalty. By the time your ancestors were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had transitioned from a formal given name into a hereditary surname. Families living in the Bavarian region during the eighteenth century often relied on agriculture or local trades to support their households. Because Bavaria was a hub for trade and migration within the Holy Roman Empire, the Albert family likely lived through a period of significant social change as the region moved toward the modern era. The name served as a link to their Germanic heritage, marking them as part of a long lineage of people who had inhabited the central European landscape for many generations.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasureSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. a griffin segreant or”
The Albert arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Reigning in France when the Albert arms are first recorded.
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.
The name Albert traces its roots to the Old Germanic name Adalbert, which combines the words for noble and bright. While the name was popular across Europe during the Middle Ages, it became firmly established in England following the arrival of settlers who brought the name with them from the continent. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 show family members living in this northern hub, which was then a center of trade and religious activity. During this period, families often settled in specific regions for generations, contributing to the local economy and social life of the city. These early residents of York were part of a long tradition of families who carried the name forward, helping it transition from a noble Germanic title into a common English surname.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning noble and bright.
