Map of Germany showing where the Behrendt arms are recorded
The Behrendt arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Behrendt 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 Behrendt Family in Germany
The surname Behrendt is a variant of the Germanic name Bernhard, which is composed of the roots for bear and brave or hardy. During the eighteenth century, the name was common across German-speaking regions, reflecting a tradition of using animal imagery to symbolize strength and courage. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Behrendt family were established in Frankfurt an der Oder. This city was a major center for trade and education at the time, situated along the Oder River. Families living in this region were often involved in the merchant class or local craft guilds, which allowed them to build stable lives in a rapidly growing urban environment. As the family settled into the social fabric of Frankfurt, the name became a permanent fixture of their local identity and heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bernhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bear and brave or hardy.
This name
BehrendtA patronymic form indicating descent from a person named Bernhard, meaning brave as a bear.
also spelled
Berends
Behrendt
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Frankfurt (Oder), 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
