A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berta family of Austria.
Reg. 2269 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., cour. d'or; au 2 de gu. à l'étoile d'or. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Berta Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Berta arms are recorded
The Berta arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Berta Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Berta arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Berta Family in Austria
The surname Berta finds its roots in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it evolved from the ancient name Berht, meaning bright or famous. By the late 18th century, families carrying this name were well-established in the rugged, mountainous region of Tyrol. In 1772, records confirm that members of the Berta family lived within this area, which served as a vital crossroads between the German-speaking north and the Italian-speaking south. Because Tyrol was a hub for trade and travel, the Berta family likely engaged in local agriculture or specialized craftsmanship typical of alpine communities. Over generations, the name became deeply woven into the social fabric of the region, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of those who navigated the challenging terrain of the Eastern Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berht
Old High German term meaning bright, famous, or illustrious.
This name
BertaDerived from Germanic elements signifying a person who is bright, shining, or glorious.
Related arms
Bertevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kranzmayer, Eberhard. Ortsnamenbuch von Kärnten. 1956
Udolph, Jürgen. Die Ortsnamen der Kitzbüheler Alpen. 1994
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
