A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bernd family of Germany.
Reg. 5729 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à l'ancre d'arg. C.: une colombe d'arg., tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin. [Armes du célèbre héraldiste, C. S. T. Bernd, décédé en 1855.]”
GermanyBonn, c. 1725
Where the Bernd Arms Were Recorded
Bonn
Map of Germany showing where the Bernd arms are recorded
The Bernd arms were recorded in Bonn, c. 1725.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Bernd 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 Bernd Family in Germany
The surname Bernd is a shortened form of the ancient Germanic name Bernhard, which combines the words for bear and brave or hardy. During the Middle Ages, people often adopted these names to honor the strength and courage associated with the bear, a powerful animal in European folklore. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in the city of Bonn, which served as a significant cultural and political center along the Rhine River. Living in this region suggests that early family members were likely involved in the vibrant trade or craftsmanship that defined the city during the era of the Electors of Cologne. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the community long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bernhard
Derived from the Germanic elements for bear and brave or hardy.
This name
BerndA shortened form of the Germanic name meaning brave as a bear.
Related arms
Stadtmüllerrecorded with Bernd, same area
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
Stadtarchiv Bonn, Kirchenbücher der Pfarrei St. Remigius, 1725
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.
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
