A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bretschneider family of Germany.
Reg. 6770 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur à la bande d'or, acc. de deux étoiles du même. Cq. cour. C.: un vol coupé, à dextre d'or sur sa., à sen. d'azur sur or. L. conformes aux émaux du vol.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1717
Where the Bretschneider Arms Were Recorded
Saxony
Map of Germany showing where the Bretschneider arms are recorded
The Bretschneider arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1717.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Bretschneider 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Bretschneider Family in Germany
The surname Bretschneider is a classic occupational name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "brett," meaning board, and "schneider," meaning cutter. Historically, this identifies the family as woodworkers or carpenters who specialized in sawing timber into planks. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Saxony. During this period, the economy of Saxony was heavily influenced by trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families like the Bretschneiders to pass down their specialized wood-cutting skills through generations. As the family grew, they became part of the backbone of the local artisan class, contributing to the development of the towns and villages that defined the Saxon landscape in 1717.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brettschneider
A compound of board or plank and cutter or tailor.
This name
BretschneiderAn occupational surname for a carpenter or a woodworker who cuts boards.
also spelled
Bretschneid
Bretschneidar
Schneider
Related arms
Blumfeldsimilar arms
Campesimilar arms
Guneschsimilar arms
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 Familiennamen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, 1717
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
