A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aps family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7894 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
handFaith, sincerity and justice
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 main d'aigle d'arg., entre deux trèfles de sin., le tout soutenu d'une terrasse du même. C.: un vol d'arg. L. d'arg., de gu. et de sin.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
Where the Aps Arms Were Recorded
Hambourg
Map of Germany showing where the Aps arms are recorded
The Aps arms were recorded in Hambourg, c. 1765.
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 Aps 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 Aps Family in Germany
The family name Aps traces its roots to the bustling port city of Hamburg, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Hamburg served as a major hub for international trade and maritime commerce, which likely influenced the lives of early family members. Because the city was a center for merchants and skilled laborers, the name was likely associated with individuals working in the shipping or craft industries that defined the local economy. As the family established itself in this urban environment, they became part of the social fabric of a city that was rapidly growing through its connections to the North Sea and the wider world. The name itself reflects the regional naming patterns common in Northern Germany, where short, distinct surnames were often used to identify families within their local communities. By remaining in such a significant commercial center, the early Aps family was positioned at the heart of German economic life during a period of great transition.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à la tour d'azur, maçonnée de sa. [Ermengard d'A., grand-maître de l'ordre de St.-Jean de Jérusalem, vers 1190.]”
Francec. 1663
Where the Aps Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Aps arms are recorded
The Aps arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Germany when the Aps arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Aps Family in France
The history of the Aps family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Bretagne region, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a distinct province with its own unique customs and social structures. Families like the Aps often lived in rural parishes where they were tied to the land and local community life. The name likely evolved from regional dialects spoken in western France, reflecting the way people identified themselves by their specific village or local geography. Life in Bretagne at this time was defined by the influence of the Catholic Church and the strict social hierarchy of the French kingdom. By establishing themselves in this province, the early members of the Aps family became part of the long and complex history of the Breton people, surviving through generations of agricultural labor and local political shifts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbo
A Germanic short form of names beginning with the element adal.
This name
ApsA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Abbo, meaning noble or noble strength.
also spelled
Apse
Apss
Related arms
Baumesimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Hamburger Passagierlisten, 1850-1934 (Note: While this archive contains later records, it holds the foundational civil and church registers for the mid-18th century)
Zimmermann, Volker, Hamburg: Eine Geschichte der Stadt, 2005
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
handFaith, sincerity and justice
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
handFaith, sincerity and justice
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
