A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Anger family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu.”
The Anger arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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 Germany when the Anger 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 surname Anger has deep roots in the German language, where it originally served as a topographic name. In medieval Germany, an "Anger" referred to a grassy village common or a meadow located near the center of a settlement. Families who lived near these communal grazing lands often adopted the word as a way to identify their home or place of work. By the time records confirm the family presence in Saxony in 1765, the name was already well-established across various German-speaking regions. During this period, the people bearing this name were typically part of the agrarian society that defined the Saxon landscape. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of village life, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the region throughout the eighteenth century.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second sonJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De vair à trois croiss. de gu.”
The Anger arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Germany when the Anger 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 family name Anger has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the northwestern region of Brittany. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living as part of a society defined by rural traditions and local governance. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a variation of ancient personal names that were common during the Middle Ages. Families in Brittany during the seventeenth century often lived in tight-knit agricultural communities where they were closely tied to the land and the parish system. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the distinct cultural identity of the Breton people. Their presence in 1663 serves as a clear marker of their long-standing history in the French countryside.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a womanSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Erm. on a chief az. three lozenges or”
The Anger 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 Germany when the Anger 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 surname Anger has deep roots in England, where it emerged as a descriptive name during the Middle Ages. It likely originated from the Old French word angier, which was used to describe someone who was considered troublesome or prone to displays of temper. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Anger family were living and working within this historic urban center during the reign of King James I. At that time, York was a bustling hub of trade and religious activity, and families like the Angers were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in such a prominent location suggests that they were integrated into the social and professional life of Northern England long before the mass migrations of later centuries.
A communal village green or open pasture area.
