A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bernheim family of Germany.
Reg. 3222 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a fleur-de-lis, on the top three grass spires, each containing seven piles gu”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Bernheim Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bernheim arms are recorded
The Bernheim 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 Bernheim 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 Bernheim Family in Germany
The surname Bernheim is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is composed of two parts, with "Bern" likely referring to a bear or a specific location, and "heim" meaning home or village. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were named after the place where they lived. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Bernheim family were established in Bavaria. During this period, families often adopted surnames to distinguish themselves as they moved between towns or interacted with government officials for tax and census purposes. As the family grew, they became part of the vibrant social and economic life of the Bavarian region, eventually spreading across central Europe as they pursued various trades and community roles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bern and Heim
Bear and home or settlement.
This name
BernheimA habitational name referring to a home or settlement associated with a bear.
also spelled
Bernhem
Bernhym
Bernhime
Bernham
Related arms
Bernhamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, General-Landes-Archivalien (GLA) - Steuer- und Katasterunterlagen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
