A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bodensteiner family of Germany.
Reg. 5234 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti de sa. et d'or ou d'or et de sa.; au croiss. montant de l'un en l'autre, chaque corne sommée d'une étoile de l'un à l'autre; à une étoile de l'un à l'autre, posée au centre de l'écu entre les cornes du croiss., br. sur le parti. C.: les meubles de l'écu, soutenues d'un bonnet écartelé d'or et de sa.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Bodensteiner arms are recorded
The Bodensteiner 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 Bodensteiner 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 Bodensteiner Family in Germany
The surname Bodensteiner is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It describes someone who lived near or worked on a specific type of stony ground, as the name combines the German words for ground or soil and stone. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the historic city of Nuremberg. During this era, Nuremberg served as a major hub for skilled craftsmanship and trade, suggesting that early members of the family likely participated in the city’s vibrant guild system. As residents of such a prominent urban center, the Bodensteiners were part of a society that valued technical expertise and social organization. Their presence in the city records by 1765 highlights their integration into the professional life of a region known for its influence on German industry and culture.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boden-Stein
Ground or floor combined with a stone or rock.
This name
BodensteinerA dweller near a prominent stone or rocky terrain on the ground.
also spelled
Bodensteyn
Bodenstine
Bodenstien
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
