A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bernardo family of Germany.
Reg. 1918 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 de sa. au lion d'or: aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à l'écrevisse de gu., posée en bande. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Bernardo Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bernardo arms are recorded
The Bernardo arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bernardo 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 Bernardo Family in Germany
The surname Bernardo has deep roots that trace back to the Germanic and Latin influences of Central Europe. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean regions, the presence of the Bernardo family in Bavaria by 1765 suggests a history of migration and cultural integration within the Holy Roman Empire. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often involved in the skilled trades or agricultural management that defined the Bavarian landscape. The name itself is derived from the Germanic elements "ber," meaning bear, and "hard," meaning brave or hardy, reflecting the values of strength and resilience that were highly prized in early Bavarian society. As these ancestors settled into their communities, they became part of the local fabric, contributing to the growth of towns and the development of regional traditions that persisted for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bernhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bear and hardy or brave.
This name
BernardoA surname signifying one who possesses the strength and courage of a bear.
Related arms
Bernardeauvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
