A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bornemann family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2981 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
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)
“D'arg. à la fasce ondée d'azur. Cq. cour. C.: un chevalier iss., tenant une épée. D.: TENAX FIDELISQUE.”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1765
Where the Bornemann Arms Were Recorded
Mecklenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Bornemann arms are recorded
The Bornemann arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1765.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bornemann 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 Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Bornemann Family in Germany
The surname Bornemann has deep roots in the northern regions of Germany, particularly within the historic territory of Mecklenburg. The name is classified as a patronymic, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a male ancestor. In this case, the name likely evolved from the Old High German name Bornhold or similar variations that were common during the Middle Ages. By the time records place the family in Mecklenburg in 1765, the name had become a stable identifier for families living in rural and agrarian communities. During this era, many families in northern Germany were tied to the land, and the name Bornemann was passed down through generations as these families established themselves in local parishes. The history of the name reflects the broader patterns of German naming traditions where personal names gradually transitioned into permanent family surnames to help local officials track residents for tax and census purposes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à un puits d'or, surm. d'une étoile (5) d'arg.; l'écu bordé du sec. C.: deux tulipes au nat., tigées et feuillées de sin.; entre deux bannières d'azur, frangées et houppées d'or. L. d'or et d'azur.”
LivoniaLivonia, c. 1772
Where the Bornemann Arms Were Recorded
Map of Poland showing where the Bornemann arms are recorded
The Bornemann arms were recorded in Livonia, c. 1772.
Livonia was Baltic country held by a small number of landed families who kept their estates for centuries. Land there passed down whole rather than being divided, and long unbroken tenure is what fills a register.
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.
Region
Livonia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Bornemann Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Germany when the Bornemann arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Livonia.
Origin & History of the Bornemann Family in Poland
The Bornemann family name has deep roots in the Baltic region, tracing back to the complex cultural landscape of Livonia during the eighteenth century. By 1772, members of the family were established in this territory, which served as a crossroads between Germanic, Baltic, and Polish influences. As the borders of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth shifted and interacted with the surrounding regions, families like the Bornemanns often moved across these porous frontiers for trade, administration, or military service. The name itself reflects a Germanic origin, likely derived from a descriptive term for a person living near a specific spring or well. Over time, the family integrated into the social structures of the eastern Baltic lands, adapting to the changing political authorities that governed the area throughout the late eighteenth century. Their presence in Livonia during this era highlights the mobility of professional families who navigated the diverse linguistic and political environments of the Polish borderlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur semé d'étoiles d'or; à une fontaine de deux bassins d'or, jaillissante de deux traits d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un buste d'homme aux bras mutilés, cour. d'or, hab. d'un parti d'or et d'azur.”
Denmarkc. 1722
Where the Bornemann Arms Were Recorded
Sjaælland
Map of Denmark showing where the Bornemann arms are recorded
The Bornemann arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat 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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Germany when the Bornemann arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Bornemann Family in Denmark
The Bornemann family name has a long and notable history in Denmark, with roots that trace back to the early eighteenth century. By 1722, records confirm that members of the family were already established on the island of Sjælland. During this era, the family became deeply integrated into the professional and social life of the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Many early members of the family pursued careers in law, theology, and government service, which allowed them to become influential figures within the Danish state. As they settled into their new home, they helped shape the administrative landscape of the region. Their presence in Sjælland during this time marks the beginning of a multi-generational legacy that would see the family name endure in Danish history for centuries to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boro
Old Germanic root meaning wild boar or bear.
This name
BornemannA person who is as fierce or strong as a wild boar.
also spelled
Borneman
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
