A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alker family of Austria.
Reg. 6167 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fireZeal and purification
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à une mouette posée sur un glaçon flottant dans une mer entourée de glaciers, le tout au nat.; au chef d'arg., ch. d'un foudre de gu., ailé du même, posé en fasce. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un vol cont., l'aile de derriere d'arg. plein, celle de devant de gu. ch. de trois étoiles d'arg., 2 et 1: 2° un cheval iss. d'arg., soufflant des flammes par les narines. L. d'arg. et de gu. D.: CARPE DIEM.”
AustriaVienne, c. 1867
Where the Alker Arms Were Recorded
Vienne
Map of Austria showing where the Alker arms are recorded
The Alker arms were recorded in Vienne, c. 1867.
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
Vienne
Town
Vienne
First recorded
1867
Granting Authority for the Alker 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 Austria when the Alker 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 Alker Family in Austria
The surname Alker is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Central Europe, where it likely evolved as a topographic or habitational name. In the German-speaking regions, names of this structure often identified individuals who lived near specific landmarks, such as an alder tree or a particular stream. By the mid-19th century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Vienne, which served as a bustling cultural and administrative hub within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local urban fabric as skilled tradespeople or merchants. Their presence in the city records of 1867 highlights a period of significant social mobility and migration, as families moved toward growing metropolitan centers to pursue new economic opportunities. This transition from rural origins to urban life helped solidify the Alker name within the historical documentation of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alcher
Derived from the Germanic element adal meaning noble.
This name
AlkerA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Alcher or Adalhar.
also spelled
Alkerr
Alkerh
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Wiener Stadt- und Landesarchiv, Meldeunterlagen der Stadt Wien, 1867
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.