A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Besserer family of Germany.
Reg. 2747 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
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)
“D'arg. au pélican avec ses petits dans son aire, le tout au nat. C.: les meubles de l'écu. L. d'arg., d'or et de sin.”
GermanyUeberlingen Bade, c. 1765
Where the Besserer Arms Were Recorded
Ueberlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Besserer arms are recorded
The Besserer arms were recorded in Ueberlingen Bade, 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 Besserer 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 Besserer Family in Germany
The family name Besserer originates from the German word *besser*, which translates to better. In the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was considered a superior craftsman or a person of higher standing in their local community. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Besserer family were well-established residents of Ueberlingen, a historic town located on the northern shore of Lake Constance. During this period, families in the region were often deeply connected to the local trade guilds and the agricultural life of the Bodensee area. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of the town, contributing to the development of the local economy through their various trades and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
besser
A German adjective meaning better or superior.
This name
BessererAn occupational surname for someone who improves, repairs, or makes things better.
Related arms
Achbegrecorded with Besserer, same area
Eschlingspergerrecorded with Besserer, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Überlingen, Bürgerbücher und Einwohnerverzeichnisse der Reichsstadt Überlingen
Kohlhammer, W., Die Chronik der Stadt Überlingen, 1992
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1972
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pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
