A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bamberger family of Germany.
Reg. 6808 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
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 la roue d'arg., ornée à l'entour de cinq fleurs-de-lis du même, dirigées vers les cantons et la p. de l'écu. C.: la roue.”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
Where the Bamberger Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Bamberger arms are recorded
The Bamberger arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, 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 Bamberger 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 Bamberger Family in Germany
The surname Bamberger is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify individuals who came from the city of Bamberg in the Franconia region of Germany. During the Middle Ages, people often adopted the names of their hometowns as surnames when they moved to new areas, which helped others identify their place of origin. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Ratisbonne, which is the French name for the city of Regensburg. This city served as a major center for trade and politics along the Danube River, making it a significant location for families to settle and grow their influence. The migration of the family from the Bamberg region to Ratisbonne reflects the broader patterns of movement seen among German families during this era as they sought new economic opportunities in growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bamberg
A city in Bavaria derived from the Babenberg family castle.
This name
BambergerA habitational name for someone who originated from the city of Bamberg in Germany.
also spelled
Bamberge
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Regensburger Urkunden und Akten, 1765
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
