A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berner family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8273 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à l'ours ramp. de sa.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à deux crocs d'arg., passés en saut. (Berner de Gottenradt.)”
Germanyc. 1721
Where the Berner Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Berner arms are recorded
The Berner arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1721.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Berner 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 Berner Family in Germany
The surname Berner is a classic example of a topographic or occupational name that took root in the German-speaking lands during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old High German word "bero," which means bear, and it was often used to describe someone who possessed the strength or temperament of that animal. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bavaria by 1721, the name had already been in use for centuries across various German territories. Families bearing this name were typically part of the rural or merchant classes who lived near forests or worked as traders. Because the name was tied to common characteristics and geographic features, it appeared independently in several different areas, allowing the Berner lineage to grow steadily within the social structure of the Holy Roman Empire. The presence of the family in Bavaria during the early 18th century reflects a period of stability where families often settled in specific villages for generations, maintaining their identity through their trade and local community ties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé de sa. sur arg.; à l'ours ramp. de l'un en l'autre. C.: un ours iss. de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Berner Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Berner arms are recorded
The Berner arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Berner Family in Switzerland
The surname Berner is deeply rooted in the history of the Swiss region, functioning originally as a descriptive name for someone who hailed from the city of Bern. By the time records confirm the presence of the family in Basel in 1745, the name had already evolved from a simple geographical identifier into a stable hereditary surname. During the eighteenth century, Basel served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Berners were often integrated into the city’s professional guilds. These early ancestors likely moved between the urban centers of the Swiss Confederation, seeking opportunities in the burgeoning textile or mercantile industries that defined the era. As the family established their roots in Basel, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the administrative and economic life of the city while maintaining the historical connection to their origins in the Swiss capital.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, three crescents az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Berner Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Berner arms are recorded
The Berner arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Berner arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Berner Family in England
The surname Berner carries a long history that reflects the movement and social shifts of medieval and early modern England. While the name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who worked with hounds or managed hunting dogs, it eventually became a fixed family name passed down through generations. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Berner family were firmly established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early family members were likely integrated into the local merchant or craft communities. As they settled into the urban life of the city, the family became part of the fabric of northern English society, contributing to the local economy and the evolving identity of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bern
Germanic word for bear
This name
BernerAn occupational name for a bear keeper or a topographic name for someone living near a bear habitat.
also spelled
Bernier
Burner
Bernar
Bernerd
Related arms
Corvolinisimilar arms
Lanzonisimilar arms
Salletsimilar arms
Berniervariant spelling
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
