A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beseler family of Germany.
Reg. 8750 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au saut. de gu., cant. de quatre lions du même. C.: un lion iss. de gu.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
Where the Beseler Arms Were Recorded
Hambourg
Map of Germany showing where the Beseler arms are recorded
The Beseler arms were recorded in Hambourg, c. 1765.
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 Beseler 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 Beseler Family in Germany
The surname Beseler is rooted in the occupational traditions of Northern Germany, where it likely originated as a descriptive term for a craftsman. Linguistic experts suggest the name is derived from the Middle Low German word *beseler*, which referred to a maker or seller of brooms. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a firm presence in the bustling port city of Hamburg. Records confirm that members of the Beseler family were living and working in this region by 1765. During this period, Hamburg served as a vital hub for trade and industry, allowing families with specialized skills to integrate into the growing urban economy. The transition from a craft-based surname to a recognized family name reflects the broader social shifts occurring in German cities as families moved from rural areas to take advantage of the opportunities found in major maritime centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beseler
Derived from the Middle High German word besel, meaning a small broom.
This name
BeselerAn occupational name for a maker or seller of brooms.
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
