Map of Netherlands showing where the Burg arms are recorded
The Burg arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Burg Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Burg arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Burg Family in Netherlands
The surname Burg belongs to a group of names that describe a person’s connection to a specific place. In the Dutch language, the word burg refers to a fortified town, a castle, or a protected settlement. Families who adopted this name often lived near these structures or served as guards for the local fortifications during the Middle Ages. By the time the family was firmly established in Amsterdam in 1815, the name had become a common way to identify individuals based on their geographic origins or their proximity to city walls. During this era, the city was a bustling center of trade and migration, and families with this name were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the modern Dutch state. Because the name is tied to the physical landscape of the Netherlands, it reflects a long history of people settling in protected areas to build their lives and businesses.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
ravenConstancy and divine providence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au château sommé de trois tours d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'or au corbeau de sa.”
Germanyc. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Burg arms are recorded
The Burg arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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 Netherlands when the Burg 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 Burg Family in Germany
The family name Burg is a classic example of a topographic surname, which means it was originally chosen to describe the physical location where a person lived. In the German language, the word Burg refers to a fortified place, such as a castle, a citadel, or a town protected by walls. During the Middle Ages, people began adopting surnames to distinguish themselves from others in growing communities, and those who resided near or worked within these defensive structures often became known as von der Burg or simply Burg. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had already been established for centuries as a way to identify individuals connected to these significant landmarks. This naming tradition reflects the importance of local geography in shaping family identities across the German-speaking regions, as the name served as a permanent link between the family and the fortified settlements that defined the landscape of their ancestors.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 à un château d'arg., maçonné et aj. de sa., ouv. du champ, composé d'un corps de logis flanqué de deux tours, chaque tour surm. d'une étoile (5) d'or, et croiss. du même entre les tours; le tout acc. en p. d'un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Switzerland showing where the Burg arms are recorded
The Burg arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Burg Family in Switzerland
The surname Burg finds its roots in the Germanic word for a fortified place or a castle, suggesting that early ancestors likely lived near or worked within such structures. In the context of Switzerland, the name became firmly established in the region of Bern by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1745, families bearing this name were integrated into the local social fabric, often serving as skilled tradespeople or farmers who contributed to the stability of the Swiss cantons. Because Switzerland maintained meticulous records of its citizens to manage local rights and community obligations, the presence of the Burg family in Bern indicates they were recognized members of the local population. Over time, these families helped shape the development of their communities by participating in the civic life that defined the Swiss Confederation during this era.
Burg Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
burgus
A fortified place, castle, or small settlement.
This name
BurgRefers to someone who lived near or worked within a fortified town or castle.
also spelled
Burch
Berg
Related arms
Bethsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Netherlands. 2017
Meertens Instituut. Nederlandse Familienamenbank. 2023
Stadsarchief Amsterdam. Bevolkingsregister 1815
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
ravenConstancy and divine providence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
