A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brettschneider family of Germany.
Reg. 3956 · 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
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Map of Germany showing where the Brettschneider arms are recorded
The Brettschneider 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 Brettschneider 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 Brettschneider Family in Germany
The family name Brettschneider is a classic German occupational surname that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is formed by combining the words "Brett," meaning board or plank, and "Schneider," meaning cutter or tailor. This indicates that the earliest ancestors to carry this name were likely professional sawyers or woodworkers who operated sawmills. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in the region of Saxony, a historic area in eastern Germany known for its dense forests and active timber industry. Living in this environment allowed the Brettschneider family to thrive by providing essential construction materials to growing towns and villages. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local social and economic life of the Saxon countryside, maintaining their trade through generations of hard work and craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brett-Schneider
A board or plank cutter or woodworker.
This name
BrettschneiderAn occupational surname for a carpenter or someone who sawed timber into boards.
also spelled
Bretschneid
Bretschneidar
Schneider
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
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
