A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bertram family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un écusson d'or en abîme.”
The Bertram arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Reigning in Britain when the Bertram arms are first recorded.
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.
The name Bertram has deep roots in the British Isles, originating from the Old German name Berhtram, which combines the words for bright and raven. While the name was brought to England by the Normans in the eleventh century, it eventually spread throughout the country as a common surname. By the time the family established a documented presence in Kent during the early 1700s, the name had already been part of the English landscape for hundreds of years. Families in this region during the eighteenth century often lived in rural or market communities, where they worked in trades or agriculture. Because the name was passed down through generations, it reflects the long history of migration and settlement that shaped the local population of Kent. Over time, the name evolved from its ancient linguistic origins into a permanent part of the social fabric of southern England.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kinJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à un ours ramp. au nat. Sur le tout un écusson d'arg., timbré d'une couronne à cinq perles, ch. de trois asters de couleur rose, bout. d'or, tigés et feuillés de sin., mouv. d'un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° les épées du 1, br. sur un ours iss. au nat.; entre un vol de sa.; l. d'arg. et d'azur; 2° un ours iss. au [?]”
The Bertram arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1789.
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.
Reigning in Britain when the Bertram arms are first recorded.
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.
The name Bertram originates from the Old High German words "beraht," meaning bright, and "hramn," meaning raven. This combination was a popular given name in the Middle Ages, often associated with strength and wisdom. By the late 18th century, the name had transitioned from a first name into a hereditary surname used by families across the German-speaking lands. In Bavaria, where records confirm the family’s presence by 1789, the name was likely carried by individuals working in agriculture or local trades. During this era, families often lived in the same rural villages for generations, which helped solidify the name as a permanent family identifier. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Bavarian countryside, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the modern era of industrialization.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. an escutcheon or”
The Bertram arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1264.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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.
Reigning in Britain when the Bertram arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Bertram has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the county of Northumberland. The name itself is of Germanic origin and translates to bright raven, which reflects the naming traditions brought to Britain by early settlers. By the year 1264, the Bertram family was well established in the north, where they held significant lands and played a role in the local governance of the border territories. During this medieval period, the family was closely connected to the shifting political landscape of the Anglo-Scottish border. They were often involved in the management of rural estates and the complex feudal obligations required by the English crown. Because of their strategic location in Northumberland, the early members of the family were frequently tasked with maintaining order in a region that faced constant military and social pressure. This history highlights their transition from landholders to influential figures in the development of northern English society.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright and raven.
