A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baumeister family of Germany.
Reg. 3144 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or au tigre ramp. d'azur, le ventre d'arg. C.: le tigre ramp. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1765
Where the Baumeister Arms Were Recorded
Saxony
Map of Germany showing where the Baumeister arms are recorded
The Baumeister 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Baumeister 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Baumeister Family in Germany
The surname Baumeister is an occupational name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. The word itself translates directly to master builder, which historically referred to a highly skilled architect, a master mason, or a supervisor of major construction projects. By the time members of the family were documented in Saxony in 1765, the name had long been associated with individuals who held positions of responsibility in town planning and the development of infrastructure. Because these master builders were essential to the growth of growing cities and the maintenance of fortifications, they often occupied a respected place within the local social hierarchy. The family name serves as a direct link to a time when specialized craftsmanship and technical knowledge were passed down through generations, marking the ancestors as key contributors to the physical landscape of their communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baumeister
Derived from the Middle High German words for building and master.
This name
BaumeisterAn occupational surname for a master builder, architect, or construction foreman.
also spelled
Baumester
Baumayster
Bowmister
Bowmaster
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
