A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Altstädt family of Germany.
Reg. 9544 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'un trait, parti de trois autres, qui font huit quartiers: aux 1 et 8 de gu. à une demi-aigle d'arg., mouv. du parti; aux 2 et 7 d'or à une demi-fleur-de-lis d'azur, mouv. du parti; aux 3 et 6 d'azur à une ancre d'arg.; aux 4 et 5 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or.”
Germanyc. 1677
Where the Altstädt Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Altstädt arms are recorded
The Altstädt arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1677.
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.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Germany when the Altstädt 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 Altstädt Family in Germany
The surname Altstädt is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German words alt, meaning old, and stadt, meaning town or city. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry this name likely lived in or near the oldest section of a medieval settlement. By 1677, records confirm that members of the Altstädt family were established in the region of Bavaria. During this period, families were often identified by their proximity to local landmarks or specific sections of a town. Because the name describes a place rather than a trade or a personal trait, it implies that the family had deep roots in their community. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who were distinguished from their neighbors by their residence in the historic quarter of their village.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alt-Statt
Old place or ancient settlement.
This name
AltstädtRefers to a person who lived in or originated from an old town or city.
also spelled
Altstat
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
