A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bittner family of Germany.
Reg. 9680 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
knightChivalry and service in arms
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. à un homme iss., hab. d'azur, tenant une pelle, le fer en haut; au 2 d'azur à deux bandes d'arg. C.: l'homme, iss.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Bittner Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Bittner arms are recorded
The Bittner arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Bittner 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 Bittner Family in Germany
The surname Bittner is an occupational name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German word "büttner," which referred to a cooper or a barrel maker. During the eighteenth century, skilled craftsmen often moved to major urban centers to find work and establish their families. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Bittner family were settled in Nuremberg, a city famous for its history of metalworking and trade. As a family of artisans, they likely contributed to the city’s reputation for high-quality manufacturing and commerce. Over time, the name evolved from a description of a person’s trade into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
büttner
A maker of wooden barrels or casks.
This name
BittnerAn occupational surname for a cooper or barrel maker.
also spelled
Byttner
Bitner
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
knightChivalry and service in arms
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
knightChivalry and service in arms
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
