A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arnheim family of Germany.
Reg. 4871 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à une aigle de Prusse; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à deux fasces d'arg. Deux cq., le 1 cour. C.: 1° un vol de l'aigle de Prusse; 2° deux prob., aux armes du 2. L. d'arg. et de gu. S.: deux aigles de Prusse, reg.”
Germanyc. 1786
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Arnheim arms are recorded
The Arnheim arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1786.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Arnheim 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 Arnheim Family in Germany
The family name Arnheim is a toponymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from a specific geographic location. The name translates to the home or village of an individual named Arno, with the suffix "heim" being a common Germanic term for a settlement or homestead. By the late 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Bavarian region of Germany. During this period, families often moved from rural areas into growing towns to pursue new trades or administrative roles. Because the name is tied to a place, it likely originated when an ancestor moved away from their home village and was identified by others based on where they came from. This practice was a common way for people to distinguish themselves in their new communities during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arn-heim
Eagle home or eagle enclosure.
This name
ArnheimRefers to a person originating from a settlement associated with eagles.
also spelled
Arnem
Arnym
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
