A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benda family of Germany.
Reg. 0986 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'or à trois roses de gu., rangées en bande; au 2 coupé d'arg. sur azur; au 3 coupé d'azur sur arg. Sur le tout de gu à deux fers de faux adossés d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: deux prob. coupées alt. d'arg. et d'azur, ornées chacune à l'ext. de trois roses de gu., tigées de sa. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1825
Where the Benda Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Benda arms are recorded
The Benda arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1825.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Benda arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Benda Family in Germany
The surname Benda has deep roots in the historical regions of Central Europe, particularly within the lands that now make up Bavaria and the neighboring Czech territories. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in Bavarian communities. The name is often associated with the Slavic word "Benedikt," which suggests that the family likely originated from a tradition of honoring Saint Benedict. Over many generations, the name evolved through local dialects as families moved across borders for work or trade. Because the region was a crossroads for travelers and merchants, the Benda family became part of the diverse social fabric of southern Germany. Their presence in Bavaria by 1825 reflects a long history of settlement in a landscape defined by both rural farming traditions and the growth of emerging industrial towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin term meaning blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BendaA short form of the name Benedict, traditionally denoting a person who is blessed or fortunate.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher und Standesregister, 1825
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
